The pilot reported that, about 15 minutes into the flight and six miles from his arrival airport, the Titan 51 Mustang lost all engine and electrical power.
He established the best glide speed for the plane, turned on the auxiliary fuel pump switch, and tried to extend the landing gear.
When he realized that the electrically powered landing gear would not extend, he decided to land the airplane in a pasture next to a road in Evans, Colo.
After touchdown, the plane slid about 70 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot opened the canopy, turned off the fuel and all other switches, and exited the airplane.
An examination of the electrical system showed that neither of the 12-volt batteries would hold a charge. The examination also showed that both the main and auxiliary fuel pumps were wired to the battery-powered bus.
According to the engine manufacturer’s service representative, if a battery power failure occurs, the engine would quit running if both fuel pumps were connected to the battery bus instead of one being connected to the internal engine generator. When the batteries failed, both fuel pumps ceased operating, and the engine failed.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the builder’s improper wiring of both fuel pumps to the battery-powered bus, which resulted in a total loss of engine power when the batteries failed because all power to the fuel pumps was lost.
NTSB Identification: CEN14LA168
This March 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
More ‘Stupid Pilot Tricks’…This time it’s incorrect wiring and 2 dead batteries, resulting in a non-airworthy aircraft. The insurance co. should void his policy.!
Being an experimental aircraft doesn’t mean not following the assembly instructions.!
‘Doing your own thing’… Legal (for EAB), but not necessarily a really sound plan. I’m happy for the pilot-builder that the lesson was survivable and damage minimal.
The extended full narrative, if people read it, comments that when the engine was processed at a repair facility – both ignition modules were found inoperative.
So – what was the cause? The wiring of the fuel pumps or dead ignition modules?
Is there more to the probaby cause?