Accident Details
On June 4, 2009, at about 2000 central daylight time, a Huston Pitts S-12 homebuilt airplane, registration N922TP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Spicewood Airport (88R), Spicewood, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was conducting a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he was flying the 23rd flight in the airplane since it was certified in July 2008. He planned to practice flight characteristics locally. Prior to the flight, he "topped off" the fuel tanks, and the preflight and run-up were normal. Fuel checked from the airplane tanks was clean.
During the climb out after initial takeoff, at about 500 feet above ground level, the master caution light illuminated and the pilot received a "Fuel Pressure" message. He immediately turned to a downwind leg. Shortly afterward, the engine began sputtering. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump, but the engine did not respond. The engine quit when the pilot was approximately abeam midfield. He turned toward the runway and elected to land in the grass beside the paved runway. During landing, the airplane bounced three times before coming to rest beside the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine firewall and both lower wing spars were bent. The wing fuel tanks were ruptured and contained no fuel. Fuel captured from a fuel line contained small particles of an unidentified substance. The Floscan 201B-6 fuel flow sensor, located upstream of the fuel filter, was obstructed with an unidentified substance. The source of the unidentified substance was not located.
Aircraft Background
The airplane was a homebuilt experimental aircraft manufactured by the pilot. During manufacture, the fuel flow sensor was installed upstream of the fuel filter, as depicted on the Pitts Model 12 fuel schematic provided for reference by the airframe kit manufacturer, Jim Kimball Enterprises, Inc. A representative of the kit manufacturer stated that the fuel schematic was provided for reference only and that the manufacturer was responsible for determining the location of components per their desires and the installation instructions of each particular component. The installation instructions for the Floscan 201B-6 include a note stating: "The transducer should be mounted downstream of a fuel filter."