N142LP

On April 28, 2001, at 1830 central daylight time, a Perlick Avid Commuter amateur-built experimental airplane, N142LP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Crawford, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he was flying the aircraft as a prerequisite for possibly purchasing the aircraft. The aircraft had not been flown for a period of time and the fuel was "old." During the preflight, at the owner's direction, the fuel was drained. Subsequently, nine gallons of fuel were put into the aircraft. Following the aircraft run up at the north end of the runway, the pilot taxied the airplane to the south end of the runway and back to the north end of the runway for departure. There were no discrepancies during the run up and pretakeoff taxi. During the takeoff/initial climb, the pilot banked the airplane to the right with the intention of remaining over the airport. Immediately after banking the airplane, the engine "stopped running." The airplane was 150-200 feet agl, and there were a building and trees in the forced landing flight path. The pilot turned the airplane left for landing in a corn field; however, as he flared the airplane, he "felt a tremendous sink rate, then the impact," and the airplane flipped to the inverted position.

The aircraft owner reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the site, that "air blocked the line to the header fuel tank." Both wings and the wing struts were damaged.