Ibis Magic G700 light sport aircraft pilot reported executing a forced landing after experiencing engine failure in cruise flight; probably due to fuel exhaustion.

Date: 2025-06 · Aircraft: Light Sport Aircraft · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|ground-event-encounter-ground-strike-aircraft|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-fuel-issue|inflight-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control

Synopsis

Ibis Magic G700 light sport aircraft pilot reported executing a forced landing after experiencing engine failure in cruise flight; probably due to fuel exhaustion.

Narrative

I went to ZZZ1 and did a extensive preflight on the airplane; It had just had a condition inspection and had not yet been flown. It started normally. I did a normal taxi out. During Taxi; the fuel annunciator light came on and went off as I taxied. The EFIS did not indicate a fuel pressure problem. Preflight Run-up was normal; Takeoff and climb out was normal. The plane flew normally. I decided to go ahead and land at ZZZ. Landing went normally. During taxi in; the Fuel annunciator light came on for a for a moment or two and went out. The EFIS said normal. Fueled with 8-9 gallons of 93 octane fuel from The FBO and did another good preflight. I especially looked for Oil and fuel leaks. Airplane startup was normal. (Note: When the master switch and EFIS is turned on; It states 'FUEL PRESSURE' on the EFIS and the Annunciator light is on until the fuel pump switch is turned on.) It requires the electric fuel pump to start the airplane. I could hear the fuel pump. When the electirp fuel pump was turned on; the 'FUEL PRESSURE' stopped on the EFIS and all annunciator lights went out. On taxi; all was normal. Runup was Normal. No annunciators.I took off from ZZZ about XA:00.Takeoff and climbout were normal. As I climbed I checked ATIS at ZZZ2. I decided to climb to 4500 since clouds were well above that. During climb there was no indication of any problem. At XA:45 local time; I had just gotten to 4500 ft reduced throttle and trimmed the plane. I was looking up the frequency for flight following and the fuel light annunciator came on under the glare shield. I immediately turned back south towards the flat lands. Then the MGL Odyssey EFIS display said 'FUEL PRESSURE' and soon the power dropped from 4700 RPM to 2000-2500 RPM. I immediately turned the electric pump on. The engine surged and dropped to about 2000-2500 rpm. I began trimming for glide and picked the best field. I did a GUMPS check and then the emergency checklist. About then the prop stopped. I did a flow; checking the fuel levers; master switch; and key and tried the 'primer' and throttle. I looked at the breakers and turned the Key. The engine turned but did not start. I was on CTAF and had heard others speaking. I announced my intentions on CTAF. I didn't feel I had time to switch to 121.5. By then was low and turning base. I thought 'keep speed up; don't stall' and pushed the nose down. I was probably fast on final. Just above the grass I began my flare; I realized I was aimed at some trees; but felt I would be able to be going slow when I got to them. The flare looked and felt good. Then the knee high tall grass felt like it grabbed the mains and pulled us down onto the nose hard. The nosegear was knocked off and the plane slid straight with the nose on the ground for about 300 feet. When it stopped; I made sure the gas was off. I told my passenger; 'get out'. I turned off the Master and the Mags. She was hanging in the seatbelt and I had to help her undo the harness. We were able to get out. We were unhurt.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.