Overview
On April 13, 2022, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Europa XS Mono airplane, registration N194XS, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during a forced landing near Eastsound, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the accident occurred at the completion of a maintenance flight. While on the downwind leg for runway 34, the pilot reduced airspeed and lowered the landing gear and flaps using a single control lever. He reported having to "wrestle" with the lever to get it into the "locked" position. During this action, the engine lost all power. The pilot extended the downwind leg to attempt an engine restart but was unable to restore power. He then turned toward the runway but realized he would not be able to reach it. The airplane subsequently impacted trees approximately 2,000 feet south of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Post-Accident Pilot Report
After the accident, the pilot simulated the sequence of events in the airplane. He reported that he may have inadvertently closed one or both rocker switches that control the electronic control unit (ECU), ignition coils, or fuel igniters. The pilot stated that moving the control stick forward to counteract the nose-high attitude from lowering the flaps could have closed the rocker switch controlling the ECU, an action that results in an immediate engine stoppage.