N3882N

On September 21, 2005, at 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Thomas RV4, N3882N, lost engine power during takeoff and collided with obstacles off the departure end of the runway at Kern Valley Airport, Kernville, California. The commercial pilot operated the experimental category airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was seriously injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time destined for Trona, California.

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane takeoff and reach an altitude of 30 feet when the engine and propeller stopped. The airplane touched down about 150 feet from the end of the runway and continued on its course beyond the end of the runway, stuck a rock outcropping, became airborne, traveled 300 feet, and came to rest in flat sand and grass terrain.

Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position. The right wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly full. The left wing had partially separated from the wing root and the fuel line was broken at that location. The left wing fuel tank filler cap was removed and the tank was observed to be nearly empty. When the left wing was tilted, approximately 1 quart of fluid was observed to drain out. There was no visual evidence or odor of fuel in the ground beneath the left wing. The pilot's son, who is an Airframe & Power plant (A&P) mechanic, examined the airplane's fuel system and reported that there was no fuel found in the fuel line between the engine driven fuel pump and the carburetor. He found about a teaspoon of fuel in the carburetor bowl. He operated the electric fuel pump successfully and disassembled the engine driven fuel pump noting no peculiarities and an intact diaphragm.

Investigators noted that the runway is 3,500 feet in length and that there is no runway overrun area provided.