September 9, 2014, Houston, Texas Vans RV-10 Experimental

airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The private pilot and pilot-rated-passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident occurred during the airplane’s second flight since receiving its experimental airworthiness certificate; its maiden flight was completed earlier in the day by the pilot-rated passenger.

Editorial Staff

Friday, October 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An experimental airplane experienced two total engine power losses on its second flight, with the first occurring during a landing roll and being restarted.
The second engine failure happened shortly after, near the destination airport, necessitating a forced landing in a vacant field due to insufficient altitude.
The forced landing caused substantial damage to the aircraft's landing gear, left wing, and forward fuselage, though the pilot and passenger were not injured.

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At about 1500 Central time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The private pilot and pilot-rated-passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident occurred during the airplane’s second flight since receiving its experimental airworthiness certificate; its maiden flight was completed earlier in the day by the pilot-rated passenger.

The second flight was to complete basic flight maneuvers, verify/calibrate cockpit instrumentation and perform takeoffs and landings at a nearby airport. Subsequently, during the final landing at the nearby airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power during the landing roll. The pilot restarted the engine and took off for the airplane’s base airport. Shortly after establishing communications with the ATC tower, the airplane experienced another total loss of engine power about 3 miles east of the destination airport.