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 sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power.
The incident occurred on the aircraft's second flight, which immediately followed its maiden flight earlier the same day.
The engine had previously lost power during a landing roll at another airport, was restarted, but failed again shortly after takeoff for the base airport, forcing the pilot to land in a vacant field.
The forced landing resulted in the collapse of the left main and nose landing gears, damaging the left wing and forward fuselage, but neither occupant was 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.