Incident Overview
On February 13, 2011, about 1100 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Kennedy Lancair 320, N351E, was substantially damaged after a loss of engine power and forced landing near Dawsonville, Georgia. The certificated commercial pilot/owner and the private pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville, Georgia, about 1020, destined for Barrow County Airport (WDR), Winder, Georgia.
Pilot and Passenger Information
The pilot/owner held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA first class medical certificate was issued April 2010. He reported approximately 1,900 total hours of flight experience, with about 500 hours in Lancair airplanes. The passenger held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, and a third class medical certificate issued June 2009. He reported approximately 230 total hours of flight experience, none in Lancair airplanes.
Aircraft Information
According to maintenance records, the airplane had accrued 479 total aircraft hours. Its most recent conditional inspection was completed on February 1, 2010, at 437 total aircraft hours.
Sequence of Events
In a written statement, the pilot/owner provided a comprehensive account of preflight planning, inspection, takeoff, and flight to an area north of his departure airport with no anomalies noted. Once established in an area clear of traffic, the pilot allowed his passenger to maneuver and become accustomed to the airplane, as it was his first flight in a Lancair. After about 25 minutes of flight, the pilot/owner began transferring fuel from the left and right main fuel tanks to the 10-gallon header tank that fed the engine. Ten minutes after completing that operation, the engine began to lose power.
The pilot said he resumed control and performed troubleshooting, including activating fuel boost pumps and adjusting throttle and mixture controls. When engine power could not be restored, he elected to conduct a forced landing to a roadway, as the nearest airport selected on his GPS receiver was beyond the glide distance. The pilot described the engine power as "surging, like it was running out of fuel." He maneuvered close to the ground to avoid wires and road traffic, and the resultant hard landing occurred in a median of the roadway. The passenger’s account was consistent.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination at the scene by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing tip, rudder, and propeller. A detailed examination on February 17, 2011, in Griffin, Georgia, included replacing the propeller and inspecting the fuel filter and gascolator. The fuel filter showed only traces of sediment and water, but the gascolator bowl contained water and debris. The filter and bowl were reinstalled for an engine run. An engine start was attempted utilizing the airplane’s battery and fuel system; the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption.
Weather Conditions
The 1105 weather observation at Cherokee County Airport (47A), 21 miles west, included clear skies, wind from 260 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, temperature 12°C, dew point -1°C, and altimeter 30.30 inches of mercury.