Accident Overview
On July 10, 2014, at approximately 0940 eastern daylight time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo, registration N128LS, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Melbourne, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed Orlando Apopka Airport (X04), Apopka, Florida, and was destined for Merritt Island Airport (COI), Merritt Island, Florida.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that the preflight inspection and engine run-up check revealed no anomalies. The takeoff was normal, and he climbed the airplane to a cruise altitude of 2,500 feet. Upon establishing cruise flight, the pilot turned off the electric fuel pump and observed the fuel pressure gauge indicate an initial decrease, followed by an increase to the normal range. About five to ten minutes later, the engine began to run rough, prompting the pilot to turn on the electric fuel pump. The engine ran smoothly for a short time before experiencing a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing to a dirt road.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The inspector noted that each wing fuel tank contained about 3 gallons of fuel, and that the engine firewall had sustained substantial damage. The airplane was moved to X04 for further examination. Electrical power was applied, and the operation of the electric fuel pump was verified. Fuel was plumbed to the engine, which started and ran smoothly at low rpm with no anomalies observed. The engine could not be run at full power due to damage sustained to the engine mounts during the forced landing.
Weather and Pilot Information
The 0953 weather observation at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), about 14 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, included clear skies, 10 miles visibility, wind from 190 degrees at 5 knots, temperature 28°C, dew point 23°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury.
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in January 2012. His total flight experience, as well as flight experience in the accident airplane make and model, was not determined.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was manufactured in 2006 and was equipped with a Rotax 912ULS, 100 hp, reciprocating engine. The airplane's maintenance history was not determined. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 1,451.4 total hours.