WOODSTOCK, AL, USA
N897G
HARTLINE GLASTAR
About 30 minutes after refueling, and at a cruise altitude of about 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine during the forced landing. The engine failed to restart; the airplane glided short of intended off-airport landing area, and struck the top of a tree. After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. The engine was equipped with a dual electronic ignition, controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond testing capability. The factory representative for the engine company stated, '...that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers.' Due to impact damage to the electronic components, the cause of the engine failure was not determined.
On April 13, 2000, about 1610 central standard time, a homebuilt Hartline Glastar, N897G, owned by a private individual impacted with trees during a forced landing near Woodstock, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The two private-rated pilots reported serious injuries. The flight had departed Sylacauga, Alabama, at 1630, en route to Paducah, Kentucky. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...the pilot was flying at cruise flight for about 30 minutes after refueling...at approximately 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart during a glide to [a] suitable landing area. The engine failed to restart, aircraft glided short of intended off-airport landing area, struck the top of a tree...." After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. In addition, the inspector stated, "...this engine has a dual electronic ignition controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond our testing capability and the aircraft and engine were released...with follow-up by the factory...the factory rep [sic] for NSI [engine]...stated that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers. This accident had undetermined causes...."
a total engine failure for undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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