Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he had recently purchased the weight-shift-control aircraft and was flying it to his home. About an hour into the flight the non-certified engine quit. The pilot recalled that just prior to the loss of engine power he encountered turbulence, which could have disrupted fuel flow to the engine.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 5, 2009, at 1600 eastern daylight time, an experimental, float-equipped Air Creation Buggy 582SL, N699AC, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during a forced landing in Strafford, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Lake Attitash, Amesbury, Massachusetts, at 1500, and was destined for Lake Winnipesaukee, Alton, New Hampshire. The pilot stated that he had recently purchased the weight-shift-control aircraft and was flying it to his home. About an hour into the flight, the engine quit. The pilot executed a forced landing into the top of a tree, substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot climbed down from the tree and was later picked up by a friend. He later recalled that just prior to the loss of engine power, he encountered turbulence, which he believed disrupted fuel flow to the engine. The aircraft was powered by a 65-hosepower Rotax 582 engine, with about 140 hours of operation since new.