Accident Overview
On September 6, 2023, at about 1437 eastern daylight time, a special light sport Remos GX airplane, registration N81GX, was substantially damaged during an accident near Fort Pierce, Florida. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot Report and Preflight
The airplane was equipped with a single 22-gallon fuel tank located in the aft fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane had not flown for approximately one year, and he was told that 5 gallons of automobile gasoline remained in the tank during that period. Before the accident flight, the pilot added an additional 10 gallons of automobile gasoline, though he was unable to provide a receipt for this fuel. He completed a preflight inspection and noted no anomalies. Departing from Aero Acres Airport (FD88) in Fort Pierce, he flew in the airport traffic pattern uneventfully for several minutes before proceeding en route to Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) in Orlando, Florida, to purchase more fuel.
Loss of Engine Power
About 30 minutes after departure, while at 3,000 feet mean sea level, the engine exhibited a decrease in rpm followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot managed to restart the engine briefly, but it lost all power again. He declared an emergency to air traffic control; however, he was unable to glide the airplane to the nearest airport. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the composite structure of the lower fuselage. The wreckage was further examined at a recovery facility. Recovery and maintenance personnel reported that the fuel tank remained intact and contained no fuel. Additionally, the engine-driven fuel pump, fuel lines, and carburetors contained no fuel. A mechanic installed a temporary magneto switch as the ignition key was lost during the accident. He then attached a 16-ounce bottle of gasoline to the inlet side of the engine-driven fuel pump via a clean fuel hose. After operating for a few seconds, the pump filled the carburetors and the engine started and ran normally.
Conclusion
The investigation determined that the airplane's fuel tank was empty at the time of the accident, and the fuel system contained no fuel. The engine's ability to start and run when fuel was provided indicated that no mechanical issues prevented normal operation.