N380BP

On July 19, 1996, at 1115 central daylight time (cdt), a Experimental Pud Knocker Special, N380BP, sustained substantial damage following a loss of power at the Grafton Municipal Airport, Grafton, North Dakota. The airplane had 5 hours of total flight time, and had just departed from runway 17. The private pilot sustained minor injuries in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed.

The airplane was on initial climb out after departing runway 17 at the Grafton Municipal Airport. During the climb the pilot reported that the airplane's engine sustained a total loss of power. Following the loss of power the pilot reported that he turned the airplane 180 degrees, and was attempting to land on runway 35. The pilot reported that the airplane landed approximately 2 blocks short of the runway 35 threshold. During the landing the airplane crossed a road and came to rest in a wheat field.

The airplane's fuel system had been redesigned by the builder. The pilot of N380BP wrote on NTSB form 6120.1/2 that the engine quit because the fuel line pick up on the right fuel tank became uncovered during climb.

The airplanes's wing struts, wing strut attachment fittings and fuselage lower longeron were bent in the accident. The bungee chord tubes and the right landing gear tube were separated from the airplane.