Groveton, TX, USA
N3921
TOMBLINGSON-LEATHERS BREEZY RLU-1
While in cruise flight the experimental airplane’s single engine lost complete power. Following an unsuccessful engine restart attempt, the pilot with one hour in airplane make and model, elected to perform a forced landing to a clearing. While about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and entered a spin. Moments later the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest nose pointing upward with the pilot elevated about eight feet above the ground. The pilot released his seatbelt, fell to the ground, and was able to pull himself away from the wreckage. There was no post crash fire. An airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the engine for the IIC. The examination did not reveal the cause of the loss of engine power.
On April 19, 2008, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a single-engine Tomblingson-Leathers Breezy RLU-1 experimental airplane, N3921, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Groveton, Texas. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Raymond Rodgers Enterprise LLC. Visual meteorological prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 123 mile cross-country flight originated from Cleveland Municipal Airport (6R3), Cleveland Texas, at 1200 and was destined for the David Campbell Field-Corsicana Municipal Airport (CRS), Corsicana, Texas. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight the engine began sputtering and then lost complete power. Following an unsuccessful engine restart attempt, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a clearing. The pilot reported that while about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and entered a spin. Moments later the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest nose pointing upward with the pilot elevated about eight feet above the ground. The pilot released his seatbelt, fell to the ground, and was able to pull himself away from the wreckage. There was no post crash fire. The pilot further reported that he had accrued about one hour flying time in the airplane make and model before the accident. In addition, the pilot reported that he had "topped off" both fuel tanks a short time before the accident. According to photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the airplane's fuselage and both wings sustained structural damage. An airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic examined the engine for the IIC. The mechanic reported that both magnetos were removed and spun on a test bench. No anomalies were noted. The carburetor venturi was found secure in place. The ignition timing was found at 32-degrees before top dead center (TDC). All spark plugs appeared normal. A cylinder compression check was performed with the following results: #1 76/80, #2 75/80, #3 76/80, and #4 74/80. The examination did not reveal the cause of the loss of engine power.
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the forced landing. Contributing factors were the non-suitable terrain for the forced landing and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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