N323DW

On November 21, 1998, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Williams Hurrican HP experimental airplane, N323DW, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing in Corona, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power during cruise. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The pilot was the sole occupant and was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight that originated from the Corona airport about 1000.

According to the pilot's written statement, he departed the airport traffic pattern and reduced from a full power climb to a cruise power climb setting and checked the CHT and EGT gages, which were indicating in the normal range. After passing 2,500 feet msl, the engine rpm's slowed, then the engine quit altogether. While descending toward a football field for a forced landing, the pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. As he neared the field the pilot observed people on the landing area and diverted to an empty parking lot. During the landing the airplane collided with ground obstructions.

The pilot reported that by looking through the intake manifold of the Rotax 503 engine he could see that the pistons were scored and heat discolored. No further examination of the engine was conducted.