N485AJ

On June 1, 1998, at 1830 eastern daylight time, a home built Fisher Classic airplane, N485AJ, was destroyed during a forced landing and collision with a track hoe at Virginia Highlands Airport (VJI), Abingdon, Virginia. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that after completing the preflight inspection, he ran the airplane's engine for 20 to 30 minutes before departing Runway 24. After takeoff he climbed to 200 feet above ground level (AGL), then started a gentle turn to reverse course. Halfway through the turn, he felt a loss in power. He completed his course reversal, but was unable to maneuver to a suitable landing area because of limited attitude and airspeed. Just prior to impacting the track hoe the pilot pitched the nose of the airplane up in an attempt to avoid the obstacle, however the airplane impacted the track hoe belly first.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage on June 1, 1998. The examination revealed that both carburetor bowls were 1/4 full of water, and that 2 tablespoons of water were found in the main fuel screen. Total time on the airplane was 19 hours.

In a telephone interview, the pilot, who also built the airplane, stated the position of the fuel tank sump prevented him from checking the lowest point in the fuel tank, and once the airplane was level, water was allowed to flow from the back of the tank to the engine collection point.