Accident Sequence
Approximately two hours into a flight from Rochester, Wisconsin, to Kent State, Ohio, the engine sputtered and quit while the pilot was cruising at 9,500 feet mean sea level. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot requested vectors to the nearest airport from Toledo Approach and attempted to reach Lenawee County Airport in Adrian, Michigan, but could not. He selected a green field for a forced landing. During the rollout, he noticed a drainage ditch and tried to maneuver to avoid it, but the right landing gear went over the edge, causing the airplane to stop abruptly.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the fuel tanks revealed that the right fuel tank was empty, while the left fuel tank was full. The screens in the two fuel pick-up ports in the left fuel tank were completely blocked with debris. No other anomalies with the airplane were found. Further inspection identified the debris as hardened mud and mulch, similar to material found in wasp nests.
Maintenance History
The airplane had undergone an annual inspection six days before the accident. Three days before the accident, it was flown to American Champion in Rochester, Wisconsin, for installation of new wings. Annual inspection criteria require pulling and inspecting the finger strainers in the fuel pick-up fittings for screen damage and debris. At the factory, the fuel pick-up fittings were deemed serviceable and re-installed in the new wings' fuel tanks. According to the owner/pilot, the airplane flew eight hours between the annual inspection and the accident.