Accident Details
The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The forced landing was initiated after the pilot reported a loss of engine power approximately four minutes into the flight. The pilot executed a 180-degree turn to return to the departure airport, but the airplane descended and the only available landing area was a corn field with soft dirt. Touchdown speed was approximately 70 mph; at about 20 mph, the front wheel sank into the dirt, causing the wheel to break off. The front of the engine cowling then dug into the ground, causing the airplane to flip over.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that additional fuel had been added and all sumps were drained with no water found before departure. The owner/operator considered the aircraft safe for a ferry flight to Three Rivers Airport (HAI). During takeoff, all gauges and instruments operated within normal parameters. Approximately four minutes into the flight, the aircraft began popping and back-firing along with power loss. The electric fuel pump was turned on but provided no aid to engine performance. Following the accident, the pilot reported that water was found in the fuel sumps.
Inspection and Regulations
Airplane logbooks show the last recorded annual inspection was completed on August 23, 2000. An examination of the wreckage detected no engine or airframe pre-impact anomalies. Federal Aviation Regulation 21.197, Special flight permits, states in part that a special flight permit may be issued for an aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight for purposes such as flying the aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage. There was no ferry flight permit on file with the Federal Aviation Administration for this flight.