N1122V

On March 1, 1999, about 1530 eastern standard time, a homebuilt George A. Scott Jr., Fisher Celebrity, N1122V, registered to R. Wayne Pearce and Cyrus D. Rogers, experienced a total loss of engine power and subsequent collision with a light pole while descending for a forced landing near Simpsonville, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the airline transport-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 30 minutes earlier from Flight World Airport, Greer, South Carolina.

The airplane was purchased on February 6, 1999, and the pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to position the airplane to the new owners. After takeoff with full fuel, he circled the departure airport at about 1,100 feet agl for about 10-15 minutes then proceeded on the flight. About 10-15 minutes later, while flying at 1,100 feet agl, he first noted that the cylinder head temperature (CHT) increased but the oil pressure and oil temperature were indicating normally. He verified that the mixture was in the full rich position, continued the flight, and noted that the CHT continued to increase. He applied throttle to maintain altitude but the CHT increased and at that time, the engine rpm began to decrease. Unable to maintain altitude, he selected a sight for the forced landing, but was unable to land there due to a total loss of engine power. While descending for a forced landing on an off ramp for a highway, the right wing collided with a light pole. The airplane then rolled inverted and collided with a highway security fence. Fuel leakage was noted postcrash.

Examination of the accident site by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the airplane was inverted against the perimeter fence for the on-ramp to the highway. The right wing was damaged due to the contact with the light pole about 18 feet agl, and the left wing was damaged due to ground contact. The right main and tailwheel were separated; the left main was attached. The airplane was recovered and examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that after the top cowling was removed, the fuel line at the inlet of the carburetor was not connected. A 90-degree fitting which was made of plastic and connected the fuel line to the carburetor inlet, was broken. The electric fuel pump was operationally checked and found to operate normally. Examination of each cylinder for compression was accomplished and all were normal except for the right aft cylinder which had no compression. All cylinder heads were removed and a hole was found at the 6 o'clock position of the cylinder which had no compression. The FAA inspector attributed the hole to impact damage. All cylinder heads were noted to be cracked between the spark plug holes. Examination of the valves, pistons, and connecting rods showed no signs of damage.