Event FTW99LA181

Factual narrative

On July 4, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time, a Pitts Special S-1C aerobatic experimental amateur-built airplane, N69CS, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport near Temple, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant and part owner of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Temple, approximately 1215. According to a written statement given to the FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he had flown to Georgetown, Texas, and was returning to Temple. The airplane had flown approximately 1.8 hours and was approximately 3 miles from the airport when the "engine stopped." He added that he scanned the instruments and found the fuel pressure gauge was indicating "no pressure." The pilot then turned on the fuel pump, checked that the fuel selector was in the on position, ensured that the mixture was in the rich position, and that the throttle was "full" open. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. At about 500 feet agl, the engine "began to run again," and the pilot elected to continue to Temple. The pilot stated that the engine only ran for 30-45 seconds, which "botched my approach into the field and left me no alternative but to land on a road." During the forced landing to the road, the airplane impacted power lines, which the pilot "never saw." The 900-pound airplane was arrested by the wires, and then fell from the power lines, impacting the ground with the tail section first. The power line support poles were damaged and electrical power was cut off to the local area. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the empennage was accordion crushed forward and burn marks were noted on the airplane and propeller spinner. He estimated that there was approximately 4 gallons of fuel remaining in the main fuel tank, and added that a header tank was not installed in the accident airplane. A header tank is an optional auxiliary fuel tank, which decreases the amount of unusable fuel in the fuel system while maneuvering. Without the header tank, the unusable fuel in the basic Pitts S-1 fuel tank, while maneuvering, is 5 gallons. See the enclosed literature for more information. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge; however, the pilot failed to submit the form. The experimental amateur-built aerobatic airplane impacted power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that after 1.8 hours of flight and 3 miles from his destination airport the 'engine stopped.' He stated that the fuel pressure gauge was indicating 'no pressure.' The pilot then turned on the fuel boost pump and ensured the mixture was rich, the throttle was full open, and the fuel selector was in the on position. He elected to make a forced landing to a field. During the emergency approach to the field, the engine 'began to run again;' however, it ran for only 30 to 45 seconds. The pilot then attempted a forced landing on a road, and the airplane impacted power lines, which the pilot stated that he 'never saw.' The FAA inspector reported that the main fuel tank contained approximately 4 gallons of fuel, and there was no header tank installed. Without a header tank, the airplane's unusable fuel while maneuvering is 5 gallons. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12