Accident Overview
On November 13, 2016, at approximately 1530 central standard time, a Flight Design CTSW single-engine airplane, registration N329CT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Omni Airport (LA46) in Port Allen, Louisiana. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.
Flight and Engine Failure
According to the pilot, the airplane departed to the north and climbed to about 500 feet, then turned west. At approximately 875 feet, the engine made a "sneeze", lost power, and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot attempted to restart the engine several times without success.
Forced Landing and Damage
During the forced landing in a sugar cane field, the left main landing gear and wing struck a dirt mound, causing the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower front end of the fuselage, the right wing spar and leading edge, and the left wing attachment fitting.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector who responded to the accident found clean fuel in the fuel tanks. However, the gascolator bowl was rusty and corroded. The right-wing fuel intake filter end cap was missing. Examination of the fuel lines and the fuel selector shutoff valve revealed soft hose-like debris in the check ball section of the valve, which was obstructing fuel flow. No other defects were noted with the engine or fuel system.