N246CV

On August 26, 2011, about 1800 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur built Woolston CH701, N246CV, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field near Carlton, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal, local flight from Gaines Valley Aviation Airport (NY06), Albion, New York. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant sustained minor injury. The flight originated from NY06 about 1745.

The pilot stated that on either August 21st or August 22nd, each fuel tank contained 8 gallons of automotive fuel. The airplane was then operated uneventfully on successive short duration flights with no additional fuel added to the fuel tanks.

The pilot further stated that before departure on the accident flight, he used a dipstick to check the fuel quantity in each wing fuel tank. The left fuel tank contained 8 gallons and the right fuel tank contained 2 gallons. He planned on a 20 to 25 minute flight and departed towards the north with the fuel selector positioned to both. While flying about 600 to 800 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered then quit. He looked for a place to land and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a field. After touchdown in the field, he noticed components of an irrigation system and applied the brakes to avoid the equipment but the airplane nosed over.

Postaccident inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no fuel flow from the left fuel tank to the engine compartment. Further inspection revealed a nipple part number P/N F125-4A from the left fuel supply system was clogged with a small piece of rubber which prevented fuel flow. No other discrepancies were reported.