N196KW

On April 2, 2000, at 1026 central daylight time, a Weinzierl Titan Tornado II, piloted by a private pilot sustained substantial damage on contact with terrain during a forced landing after a loss of engine power on takeoff from Maple Airport, near Maple Plain, Minnesota. The local flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was on file. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated, "I was departing to the east. I climed to about 200 ft. when the engine stoped I turned back for a field." The airport owner stated that the field was rough and uneven. He stated, "I hit the field and the plane overturned." He further stated that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the hull, wing tips, and tail.

The pilot examined the wreckage and found a clogged fuel filter. The fuel filter was plugged with silicone used as a sealant in the fuel tank. See appended photo.

The plugged filter was identified as a Plastisonics, Inc., sintered bronze, model FF704C series filter. The fuel filter was designed for 1/4-inch fuel lines. See appended filter specification sheet.

The Rotax installation manual states, "A suitable fuel filter of 0.15 mm mesh size must be fitted between pump and carburetor. Do not use paper filters. The fuel tank must have a drain cock for condensed water. A screen of 0.3 mm mesh size should be fitted to the fuel line in the tank." See appended installation manual.

The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Don't use silicone to seal any type of fuel tanks or exc."