N2099J

On August 5, 1998, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Fennell VP2 homebuilt experimental airplane, N2099J, was destroyed during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Collinsville, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from a private grass airstrip about 20 minutes prior to the accident.

The 1,500 hour pilot stated that while setting up to enter a landing pattern at a private airstrip, the engine began to slowly loose power, and the engine "quit." Subsequently, he maneuvered the aircraft toward an open field, and at about 20 to 25 feet AGL, initiated a "power off" stall. Upon ground contact, the airplane veered about 180 degrees "violently to the right." With the exception of the floor-seat combination, everything forward of the aft spar bulkhead essentially disintegrated.

Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector after the accident, revealed that a single set screw had been used to secure the throttle cable at the throttle arm. The screw was found to be "loose" in the carburetor barrel and did not appear to be tight against the cable end. A similar wire cable end was easily pushed through the barrel, indicating that the throttle control cable may not have been securely fastened to the throttle arm prior to the accident.

The Volkswagen powered airplane had accumulated a total of 93 flight hours.