N79RW

On March 25, 2000, at 1430 central standard time, a Ward Acro amateur-built airplane, N79RW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Beasley, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and builder of the single-seat airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight. The flight originated from the Ward Airpark, Beasley, Texas, at 1410.

The pilot reported that he departed Ward Airpark for a local test flight. He returned to the airport after a 20 minute flight and "closed the throttle to glide down to 1,000 feet pattern altitude to land. At pattern altitude, opened throttle-engine was dead." He attempted to re-start the engine, but was unsuccessful. During the ensuing forced landing the airplane touched down in a grain field approximately 300 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane crossed a road and became airborne a second time. During the second ground contact, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that the rudder was bent, and the engine mount and propeller were damaged. He further reported that the airplane, which was powered by a 520-horespower Chevrolet V-8 automotive engine, had accumulated a total flight time of 6.1 hours. No further examination was conducted.