Accident Overview
On March 28, 2020, about 1447 mountain daylight time, a TL Ultralight SRO Stingsport airplane, registration N7997N, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at General Dick Stout Field Airport (1L8) in Hurricane, Utah. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff and at an altitude of about 250 feet above ground level, the engine abruptly lost all power. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway but was unable to do so, and the airplane touched down in a field. During the landing sequence, the airplane bounced, causing the landing gear to collapse. The airplane then skidded to a stop.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration-certified mechanic examined the engine and found no anomalies except for the ignition system. Damage was observed on the stator assembly. The ignition system, which included the stator assembly, magneto ring, flywheel hub, and associated electronic modules and coils, was removed and sent to the engine manufacturer for further examination.
Ignition System Findings
Examination of the stator assembly revealed damage to the only two independent ignition charging coils attached to the assembly. The damage was consistent with foreign object damage. Testing showed that the ignition charging coils were nonfunctional. Failure of both coils would result in a loss of engine power.
Further examination of the magneto ring revealed gouges and scoring marks consistent with foreign object damage. The ignition charging coils were positioned below the area where the scoring and gouges were observed. No remnants of the foreign object were found, and its source could not be determined. All other ignition components were examined and tested, with no anomalies noted.