Primary finding
Probable cause
A short in the electrical wiring to the fuel pump.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Shortly after takeoff in the homebuilt aircraft, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with the terrain. The pilot later reported that there was an apparent short in the wiring to the fuel pump.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 20, 1993, at 1710 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt Ray D. Kope, Zenith CH 200, N456K, lost engine power shortly after take off from Waterville, Washington. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane was substantially damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot was seriously injured. The pilot stated that the airplane had accumulated approximately 41 hours since it was completed and no problems were reported during the test flights. In the pilot's written statement, he reported that "there was an apparent short in the wiring to the fuel pump." No other malfunctions were reported. -