Sequence of Events
The pilot departed Cincinnati, Ohio, at 1330 for a one-hour flight to Portland, Tennessee. After arriving, he departed Portland at 1445 en route to Pontiac, Michigan. The pilot estimated having 80 gallons of fuel on board at departure, based on visual inspection and tank and dashboard gauges.
While cruising at 4,500 feet, approximately 20 miles south of Pontiac, the pilot noted a change in engine sound. The engine pitch varied for about three seconds, after which the turbine inlet temperature (TIT) indication reached its maximum. The pilot immediately richened the mixture. At that time, the fuel gauges showed one-third fuel in each tank. The pilot had been alternating tanks during the flight to keep them even.
Approximately five seconds after the initial sound change, the engine lost all power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the left to the right tank and activated the boost pump. After two seconds, a two-second burst of power was achieved, but the pilot could not replicate this response despite repeated attempts.
The pilot attempted to divert to the nearest airport but determined it was unreachable. A forced landing was executed on a frozen lake. The airplane slid across the lake surface and came to rest after contacting a steep bank on the far shoreline.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that one quart of fuel remained in the right fuel tank, while between 6 and 6.5 gallons of fuel were present in the left tank. No evidence of fuel leakage was found on the frozen lake, either during the accident or during removal of the airplane.
The airplane was equipped with the Rocket STC SA5691NM for installation of a Continental TSIO-520-NB engine and a McCauley three-blade propeller.