N54WS

On September 8, 2013, approximately 1750 central daylight time, a Sweet Bushby Mustang II airplane, N54WS, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Woodstock, Illinois. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Council Bluffs, Iowa, approximately 1630 and was destined for Grayslake, Illinois.

According to local authorities who spoke with the pilot, while at an altitude of 2,200 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power by switching the fuel selector to the auxiliary or header tank; however, the engine subsequently lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted vegetation and came to rest upright.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector showed that the right wing fuel tank was empty and left wing fuel tank contained some fuel. The auxiliary or header fuel tank was full of fuel. The inspector removed the fuel line from the fuel manifold and activated the fuel pump. Fuel flowed from the fuel line when the fuel pump was activated. The airplane was recovered for further examination.

Under supervision of a FAA inspector, the engine was functionally tested on the airframe utilizing the auxiliary fuel tank. During the functional test, the engine started and operated without any anomalies noted.