Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 100; Flight Crew Type 120
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Take off roll and initial climb normal. At approx. 50 ft. AGL I heard a loud metal thumping; which I thought was coming from the two facet electric fuel pumps. I instantly lowered nose and entered deep forward slip to stabilized airspeed in the steep descent to reduce altitude. I shut off all switches including master; and made normal but slightly hard tail low touch down on the 'over run' off end of runway. The ground was soft and the small tires /wheel pant dug into the sand. The aircraft rapidly decelerated; and the top landing gear bolt sheared allowing aircraft to settle to ground and slide to a stop. No injuries or property damage. [Damage] to aircraft is light - limited to cowling; landing gear; and wheel fairings.The aircraft had 12 gal. on board (2 hrs. endurance). After reviewing the instruments we determined the low fuel pressure warning was on. We verified less than two oz. of fuel in carburetor float bowl. We will test right hand fuel tank system (vents valves and fittings) etc. . . . Both fuel pump operate correctly.
Panther light sport pilot reported light damage after a forced landing caused by fuel starvation; even though there apparently was fuel in the tank.