N8048G

On July 10, 2004 at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Masingill Steve, Stein Skybolt Home Built airplane, N8048G, registered to and operated by the Private pilot, collided with the ground following a loss of engine power in Jasper, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross country flight to Dalton, Georgia. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated in Jasper, Georgia on July 10, 2004, at 1730.

According to the acting airport manager at Pickens County Airport, N8048G, refueled with about 20 gallons of 100 octane low lead fuel. After several start attempts the airplane taxied from the fuel pits a short distance before the engine quit again. The pilot, requested a pair of pliers and removed the fuel filter and found it to be 90 percent clogged. After cleaning the fuel filter and replacing it, he told the acting airport manager that he was going to return to Dalton Municipal. The acting airport manager advised the pilot to drain the fuel and clean the tank prior to departure but that was not accomplished prior to takeoff.

According to the pilot, during cruise flight the engine quit. The pilot executed a forced landing into a rough field, and hit hard collapsing the landing gear, buckling the firewall and engine mounts. Examination of the airplane found sealing compound in the upper fuel tank. The sealing compound was also found in the fuel line and fuel filter. The pilot stated that he should have investigated and cleaned the fuel system prior to taking off. The annual inspection on the airplane was completed in September 2003, 22 flight hours before the accident.