ARIOSTO JAMES J ARIOSTO MUSTANG II

Full Narrative

On March 4, 2016, at 1230 central standard time, an Ariosto Mustang II experimental airplane, N12JA, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power near Normangee, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed at an unknown time.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot was attempting to change the fuel draw from the left to right fuel tank, but starved the engine of fuel in the change process due to a new modification in the fuel system. The pilot reported no problems with the engine prior to the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot stated the engine lost power due to improper procedures completed by him while switching fuel tanks.

Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed the airplane impacted terrain in a left wing, nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest upright in a field that was surrounded by trees. The engine and firewall were separated from the fuselage. The left wing fuel tank was compromised and right wing fuel tank contained an unknown amount of fuel. One propeller blade remained attached to the hub and no damage was noted, and one propeller blade was separated near the hub.