N78114

On November 22, 1998, at 0928 hours mountain standard time, a Varga 2150A, N78114, lost power shortly before landing at the Chandler, Arizona, airport, and force landed in a residential area. During the landing, the aircraft collided with multiple ground obstructions. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, took off from Payson Arizona, about 0850 and was destined for Chandler. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Neither the private pilot nor the one passenger onboard was injured.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he was on a flight from Chandler to Payson with a planned return to Chandler. He reported there were no fuel services available in Payson and he departed for the return leg to Chandler. The pilot further stated he had an engine failure approximately 8 miles from the Chandler airport, over a residential farming area. The engine sputtered for several seconds and quit. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He landed the airplane in a plowed field, crossed a road, collided with a street sign, and finally hit a residential block wall.

In a phone interview on June 18, 1999, the pilot stated that he added 10 gallons of automotive fuel to top the tanks off before departing Chandler. The pilot further stated that there were no other mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft. The pilot said he did not perform a visual preflight check of the fuel quantity before departing Payson.

The company that retrieved the aircraft, Air Transport of Phoenix, Arizona, documented the fuel system during disassembly of the aircraft for movement. All tanks, lines, and the fuel cap seals were intact. The fuel system was drained and a total of 4 ounces of fuel were found in the tanks and lines.