During The Climb, About 4,500 Ft Mean Sea Level, The Engine Began To Run Rough, And Shortly Thereafter Lost All Power

Location: Jasper, Georgia Accident Number: ERA23LA063
Date & Time: November 4, 2022, 15:00 Local Registration: N430JV
Aircraft: Hagerty Glasair Super IIS-TD Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The pilot reported that during the climb, about 4,500 ft mean sea level, the engine began to run rough, and shortly thereafter lost all power. The pilot immediately turned back toward the departure airport, which was about 5 miles from his position. He began troubleshooting the loss of power, but power was not restored. The pilot was able to glide to the airport; however, in a right turn to align with the runway, the pilot felt the onset of an aerodynamic stall. He leveled the wings, the airplane overshot the runway, descended abruptly, and impacted a grass area hard next to the runway. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. 

A postaccident test run of the engine revealed it produced normal power with the electric fuel pump on, but would not operate with only the engine-driven fuel pump. Further examination and disassembly of the engine-driven fuel pump revealed no anomalies that would have explained its inability to pump fuel.

The pilot reported that in the climb he turned off the electric fuel pump and, after the loss of power, he did not turn the pump back on, despite the owner’s manual instructing pilots to use the electric fuel pump following a loss of engine power. Had the pilot turned the electric fuel pump on, power likely would have been restored.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine-driven fuel pump and the pilot’s failure to use the electric fuel pump, which resulted in a forced, hard landing. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov