Accident Overview
On October 6, 2022, about 1621 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Fisher Celebrity airplane, N655WP, was substantially damaged in an accident in Greensboro, North Carolina. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operating as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported that before the first flight of the day, he verified 8.5 gallons of fuel in the header tank and no water in the fuel system. During taxi, he noted a brake issue and returned to the hangar for repair. Afterward, he taxied to runway 23R and applied partial then full power (3,000 rpm).
After takeoff, the pilot remained in the airport traffic pattern, maintaining full power while climbing to the altitude of an airplane ahead. The tower controller instructed him to extend the downwind leg due to other landing traffic. Shortly thereafter, the engine “stumbled slightly.” The pilot turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, and the engine lost total power as if out of fuel. He checked the fuel shutoff valve (fully open), retarded the throttle, and engaged the electric primer two to three times. The engine restarted and operated normally for 20 to 30 seconds but would not sustain power. The pilot described it as “starving for fuel.”
Realizing the airplane could not reach the runway, the pilot maneuvered for a forced landing. The right wing struck a tree, causing the airplane to yaw right, then it descended and impacted the side of a house. The pilot evacuated, and no ground injuries were reported.
Air Traffic Control and ADS-B Data
Review of ADS-B and ATC communications from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the airplane was cleared for takeoff at 1615 and turned right into the traffic pattern about two minutes later. At 1618:28, the ADS-B position was lost for 13 seconds while on downwind. At 1619, ATC advised the pilot he was following a Cessna 172, which was following a small corporate jet; the accident pilot reported them in sight about eight seconds later. At 1620, about 1.5 nautical miles northwest of the runway threshold, ATC cleared the pilot to land. The pilot acknowledged and then said “uh oh.” ADS-B position was again lost for 14 seconds. No further communications were received.
Postaccident Examination
During airplane recovery, inspection of the header fuel tank revealed 3 to 4 gallons of 100 low lead fuel with no water. A red/orange foreign object was found in the tank, matching the color of sealant used on the fuel quantity sending unit flange, but neither was tested.
The pilot, also an airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported he had recently replaced the sending unit. During replacement, he enlarged the opening, vacuumed shavings, flushed with water, then installed the new unit and added fuel.
Postaccident examination of the engine and systems found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Minimal fuel was present in engine fuel system components; the largest amount was about 1 ounce drained from the airframe fuel strainer.
Onboard Video
A Go-Pro camera on the left wing recorded the flight. The first engine anomaly and propeller stoppage occurred about three minutes into the flight, while on downwind. The engine restarted, and the airplane continued the downwind path. About two minutes later, while flying over a residential and tree-covered area, the airplane began a slight right turn at about 1,800 ft msl (1,000 ft agl) and 1.5 nautical miles from the runway. Three seconds later, the propeller stopped again. After that, the propeller started and stopped five more times, with rotation lasting only seconds each. About 46 seconds after the second stoppage, the camera showed the airplane over trees, then a steep right descending turn, tree contact, and ground impact. ADS-B data indicated the airplane turned away from a golf course fairway nearly directly ahead toward the runway, still about 1.5 nautical miles away.