What happened
On March 20, 2019, a Air Creation Tanarg weight-shift control aircraft, registration N912TJ, was operating in the vicinity of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, under visual meteorological conditions. The pilot departed with 6 gallons of fuel, estimating a fuel consumption rate of 3 gallons per hour.
Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine multiple times; while one attempt resulted in a momentary period of power, the engine failed again. The pilot attempted a forced landing on a soccer field, but the aircraft struck terrain approximately 15 yards short of the intended landing site. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries and no fatalities.
The investigation
The pilot reported that the flight involved multiple climbs and descents and noted that the aircraft appeared to burn more fuel than usual. Following the accident, the pilot inspected the aircraft and found no fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Prior to the event, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions reported that would have prevented normal operation.