MICROLITES PTYLTD Dragonfly B

Full Narrative

On July 19, 2018, about 1420 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Moyes/Bailey Microlites PTYLTD Dragonfly B Model airplane, N7008Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Buckley, Washington. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection and confirmed the fuel tanks were full of fuel. No anomalies were noted as he performed the engine start, taxi, or runup. The pilot departed to the north and after turning onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine “seized,” and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a clearing, and he deployed the airplane’s parachute system. The airplane impacted a tree just prior to landing.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors responded to the accident site and reported that the parachute had been deployed. The airplane sustained damage throughout the frame. The engine was visually examined, and no obvious holes in the engine case were observed. Fuel was observed leaking from the fuel pump and fuel filter.
The fuel pump and fuel filter were removed and further examined. No mechanical anomalies were identified during the examination.