Accident Overview
On June 10, 2013, at approximately 2100 central daylight time, an amateur-built William D. Youngs T211, registration N211BY, collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of engine power near Festus, Missouri. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The airplane, which was registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage to its wings and fuselage.
Flight Details
The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Festus Memorial Airport (FES) in Festus, Missouri, about 1900.
Events Leading to the Accident
According to local authorities, while descending to land at FES, the pilot called his wife via cell phone. He informed her that they had run out of fuel and were going to crash. The airplane subsequently contacted a treeline consisting of trees 30 to 40 feet tall. After striking the trees, the airplane descended into a field, contacting the terrain approximately 25 feet from the treeline.
Post-Accident Communication
Following the impact, the pilot again contacted his wife, stating that they had crashed and that he did not know their location. The pilot's wife then contacted 911, and the airplane was later located in a field about 2½ miles south of FES.
Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no evidence of fuel in the airplane or on the ground surrounding the airplane.