Accident Details
On March 29, 2024, at about 1141 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV9A airplane, registered N387E, was substantially damaged when it struck a utility pole during a forced landing near Pickens County Airport (JZP) in Jasper, Georgia. The private pilot, who was also a builder of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 test flight.
Flight History
According to a part-owner/builder of the airplane, the accident flight was the second flight during phase one flight testing, and the airplane had accumulated about one hour of total time. The pilot stated that the purpose was to remain near JZP and obtain engine performance data. After a normal takeoff, he maintained 4,000 ft mean sea level near the airport to observe engine performance. The observations were unremarkable, and he then descended to return to the airport traffic pattern.
Loss of Engine Power
The pilot reported that while approaching a left downwind for runway 34, he observed engine rpm decline and the EFIS timer announced, “change fuel tank.” The pilot subsequently engaged the fuel boost pump and switched from the left to right fuel tank, which was followed by a complete loss of engine power. He elected to land in a field, and during the landing the left wing struck a utility pole. The pilot recalled that the boost pump remained running after the forced landing, and he subsequently shut the pump off.
Post-Accident Examination
The part-owner/builder, who was monitoring from the ground, reported that the preflight was normal and the pilot radioed after about 15 minutes that everything was proceeding normally. After hearing an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) sound over the radio, he located the accident site within a few minutes. He observed that the fuel selector was selected to the right tank and that about 2.5 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing during recovery, with additional fuel in the grass surrounding the site.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and noted that the left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The fuel strainer contained about 4 ounces of clean fuel. The mechanical fuel pump was tested and found operational. The fuel vent in the right wing tank was clear and vented normally. The inspector removed the fuel selector and discovered that the right fuel tank line “B” nut (located at the fuel selector) exhibited low torque. No evidence of fuel staining or leaking around the fuel selector was present. The fuel line from the fuel selector to the engine was dislodged from impact damage.
An engine test run was attempted; due to impact damage, the starter would only partially engage, but the engine exhibited continuity and the Nos. 1 and 4 cylinders fired during the test. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart found that the engine was not at risk for icing during the flight. The airplane was equipped with an Advanced Flight Systems AF-5600 multifunction display; data was downloaded from the device, but the files contained no flight data.