Murrieta, CA, USA
N365SX
Hein Sonex
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine lost power. The pilot was able to restart the engine momentarily before it lost power a second time as he initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear encountered a hole and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed structural damage to the horizontal stabilizer and rudder. No evidence of fuel was observed on the ground surrounding the airplane or leaking from the airplane. No fuel was observed within the airframe fuel sump. The pilot reported to local law enforcement shortly after the accident that he "believes he possibly ran out of fuel."
On December 28, 2007, about 1130 Pacific standard time, an amateur built Hein Sonex experimental airplane, N365SX, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Murrieta, California. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The personal flight originated from the Flabob Airport (RIR), Riverside, California, at 0930. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after a non eventful flight, he descended from 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) to 3,500 feet msl. A few minutes later, the engine lost power. The pilot stated he was able to restart the engine momentarily but it lost power a second time. He initiated a forced landing to a nearby open field. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear struck a hole and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that prior to departure, he refueled the airplane with 100 low lead fuel until he could "touch the gas with his finger." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted within an open field. The horizontal stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. The inspector stated that there was no evidence of fuel on the ground at the accident site or leaking from the airplane. No fuel was observed in the airframe fuel sump. According to a Murrieta Police Department deputy, shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that he "believes he possibly ran out of fuel."
The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
