N546R

On April 25, 1998, at 0802 central daylight time, a Lerille P & W 1937 amateur-built experimental airplane, N546R, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lafayette, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated private pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette, Louisiana, approximately 0700.

The 2,000 hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he had accumulated a total of 13 hours in the single engine airplane. The pilot stated that the engine lost power while on final approach to runway 22L at the Lafayette Regional Airport. The airplane impacted trees during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over after impacting a "small" ditch, coming to rest in the inverted position. The airplane landed 150 yards short of the threshold of the runway.

An FAA representative reviewed the ATC recordings between the pilot and the tower controller. The pilot reported to the tower controller that the aircraft was "out of fuel."

An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that both wings were destroyed and the center section of the fuselage sustained structural damage. He added that the engine mounts were broken and the engine was "tilted forward." No usable fuel was observed in either of the aircraft's two fuel tanks. No discrepancies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.