N7524V

On March 4, 2017, at 1330 central standard time, N7524V, an amateur built experimental Jude Side Winder airplane, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing in Paynesville, Minnesota, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft 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, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Leaders/Clear Lake Airport (8Y6), Clear Lake, Minnesota, at 1300.The pilot reported he flew to the Paynesville Municipal Airport (PEX), with the intention of performing touch and go landings. He made the first landing and was taking off when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that during the initial climb and turn onto the crosswind leg, he smelled engine coolant. As he made the turn onto the downwind leg, the engine lost power. He stated he did not believe he could make it back to the runway, so he chose a field in which to make a forced landing. The field that the pilot selected for the landing was soft. As a result, the airplane was substantially damaged during the landing.

The pilot stated he checked the fluid levels, including the engine coolant, during the airplane preflight inspection. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed a small amount of engine coolant in the coolant reservoir which was below the level of the standpipe. The radiator did not contain any coolant and no leaks were detected in the coolant system. The electric cooling fan for the radiator was free to turn. The airplane was equipped with a Chevrolet LS-1 engine and an engine control module that would shut down the engine if it was running too hot. No other anomalies were noted with the engine.