SUTTON AVID HAULER

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2010, approximately 1300 mountain standard time, a Sutton Avid Hauler experimental amateur-built airplane, N22EJ, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Rigby, Idaho. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.

The pilot said that immediately after takeoff from the Rigby-Jefferson County Airport, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing to a snow covered field. During the landing roll, as the airplane slowed, the tundra tires broke through the surface crust sinking deeper into the snow. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The fuselage was wrinkled and the empennage was bent upwards.

The pilot said the Rotax engine manual recommended using an electrical fuel pump, however, this airplane did not have one installed. The pilot stated that even though the airplane was a high wing design, the high angle of attack during takeoff likely prevented the gravity feed system from delivering fuel fast enough to maintain engine power. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the engine and found no abnormalities, which would have precluded its normal operation.