Accident Overview
On May 22, 2011, at approximately 1945 eastern daylight time, a Flightstar Inc. Flightstar II experimental-light sport aircraft (E-LSA), registration N194PG, was substantially damaged after a loss of engine power while maneuvering. The accident occurred near Grantville, Georgia. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which had departed from Newnan-Coweta County Airport (CCO) in Newnan, Georgia. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Aircraft Information
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the airplane was manufactured in 1993 and received an E-LSA airworthiness certificate on December 8, 2006. The pilot purchased the aircraft on March 16, 2010. The airplane had accumulated about 965 total flight hours, including 30 hours since its most recent condition inspection, which was performed on May 25, 2010.
Engine and Maintenance
The aircraft was equipped with a two-cycle Rotax 503 series engine, which had been operated for about 55 hours since new. Maintenance records indicated the engine was relatively low-time. The pilot reported that after departing CCO, he flew to an airport about 5 miles to the southwest without incident. While conducting a low pass over a grass runway, he applied engine power to climb. The airplane experienced a momentary loss of engine power, followed by a sudden total loss of power. The aircraft subsequently impacted trees and came to rest on a road. The forward portion of the cockpit sustained substantial damage, and the boom supporting the empennage was fractured.
Examination Findings
Initial examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal any obvious mechanical malfunctions. The engine could be rotated by hand, and compression was noted in both cylinders. Two spark plugs removed from the engine were brownish in color and exhibited normal wear compared to a Champion spark plug chart. Approximately 5 gallons of fuel consistent with automotive gasoline was observed in the fuel tank, and fuel was present in the lines to both carburetors.
A subsequent disassembly of the engine by the pilot revealed scoring and other damage consistent with the rear piston seizing during engine operation. The engine operator's manual included warnings that the engine, by its design, is subject to sudden stoppage, and that it is not a certificated aircraft engine, having received no safety or durability testing and conforming to no aircraft standards.