What happened
On July 27, 2025, at approximately 20:01 CDT, a Lancair 320, registration N70337, was involved in an accident near Wink, Texas. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use, with the pilot traveling to Mesa, Arizona, to retrieve the recently purchased aircraft.
During the flight, the pilot observed that fuel levels in both main tanks were decreasing more rapidly than anticipated, eventually reaching empty indications. Shortly after the fuel levels dropped, the engine began running roughly. Despite the pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the issue, the engine suffered a total loss of power.
After declaring an emergency, the pilot was directed by air traffic control to the nearest airport in the Wink area. Realizing the aircraft could not reach the airport, the pilot performed an off-field landing. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the 10-gallon header tank remained full of fuel, and fuel was present in the fuel line leading to the fuel manifold.