Primary finding
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane could not be examined.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while in cruise at 2,500 ft mean sea level during a cross-country flight, the engine started to “sputter and surge” followed rapidly by a total loss of power. The pilot completed the emergency checklist by switching fuel tanks, turning on the fuel boost pump, and richening the mixture, but was unsuccessful in his multiple attempts to regain power; he performed a forced landing to a pond due to the densely populated area around him. The airplane impacted the water left-wing-low and was substantially damaged. The wreckage was discarded before it could be further examined; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 13, 2022, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Vans RV-7A, N40WB, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Warrenton, Virginia. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, he was in cruise flight at 2,500 ft mean sea level during a cross-country flight when the engine started to “sputter and surge,” followed rapidly by a total power loss. The pilot completed the emergency checklist by switching fuel tanks, turning on the fuel boost pump and adding full mixture, but was unsuccessful in his multiple attempts to regain power; he subsequently landed in a pond due to the otherwise densely populated area around him. The airplane impacted the water left-wing-low and cartwheeled before flipping over and coming to rest upside down. Photographs of the wreckage confirmed substantial damage; both wings were crushed, and the airframe was buckled. The left fuel tank was full and the fuel selector was on the left tank. A local towing company that did not specialize in aircraft recovery and salvage was asked by local authorities to recover the wreckage from the water and transport it to their yard. The wreckage was subsequently discarded before it could be examined.