Accident Description
On April 17, 2012, at 1600 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Heiser Pulsar XP, registration N912RV, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a loss of power during takeoff from runway 17 at Ducote Air Park (TS65), San Angelo, Texas. The sport pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was local.
Pilot's Report and Circumstances
The pilot reported that he and the airplane had not flown in four months, and he wanted to get current to carry passengers. He performed a detailed preflight inspection, adding fuel to the right tank to reach 6 gallons total, with 3 gallons in the left tank; each tank held 9.5 gallons. Engine start, taxi, and run-up were normal. After checking the ignition systems, he increased engine speed to 4,000 rpm to raise oil temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. About 4 minutes after engine start, he taxied onto the runway and departed. The airplane climbed to about 50 feet above ground level when the engine began to lose power. He initiated a right turn for a short traffic pattern, but a total loss of power occurred after turning about 30 degrees. He executed a forced landing to a flat wheat field; the airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
Examination Findings
Fuel tanks, fuel lines, and the fuel strainer were checked for debris and water contamination; none was observed. The engine-driven mechanical fuel pump operated normally when tested. Air was blown through the fuel system to check for blockages. No blockage was detected when air was blown from the right fuel tank forward through the system. However, when air was blown from the fuel line attached to the engine-driven pump back toward the tanks, it was blocked. It was determined that air could pass through the Facet 12V electric fuel pump in the direction from the tanks to the engine, but not in reverse. When the electric pump was removed from the airframe, air could travel through it in both directions. The pump was tested at a component repair facility on a fuel bench and operated normally, pumping 110 to 130 pounds per hour. The 100-horsepower Rotax 912 XP engine was examined at a Rotax distributor; it operated normally on a run stand, delivering takeoff power.
Fuel Vent Blockage
Examination of the airplane revealed that the outboard section of the right wing fuel vent was blocked by debris. A section of the blocked fuel vent line, about 4 inches long, was removed and sent for examination. When fuel was introduced, only a minimal amount flowed through the line. The blockage was removed and measured about 1/4 inch wide at its widest and about 1/2 inch long.