Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3.5; Flight Crew Total 349.7; Flight Crew Type 349.7
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft
While at cruise engine dropped about 1;000 RPM then prop stopped. Selected field could not make turn into wind for landing so landed downwind and rolled through field and through an old barb wire fence. Some Fiberglass damage; left landing gear bent. Over 10 gallons in tanks; fuel in carb bowls; all controls working normally; engine would not turn over. No injuries.
While cruising at 1;800 FT on a heading of approximately 030 degrees the engine lost approximately 1;000 RPM and quit running and the propeller stopped turning a few seconds later for an unknown reason. A suitable field was selected by the pilot and an emergency approach and landing were performed. In the pilot's estimation and mine; it was determined that maneuvering to land upwind would not be possible and we therefore landed downwind. The winds at the time were generally north northwest at about 7 KTS. The landing was made on an approximate heading of 180 degrees. Because of the tailwind it was not possible to stop before the fence at the end of the field and a fence post and barbed wire were struck during the roll out. There were no injuries and property damage was estimated at less than a couple of hundred dollars. The aircraft sustained damage when the left main landing gear was bent backward and the fiberglass fuselage cracked upon impact with the fence. After the landing it was determined that there was still ample (3 hours) of fuel on board (there was no leakage or spillage) and the flight controls were working properly.
Thorp pilot experiences engine failure at 1;800 FT and is unable to turn into the wind to land in the selected field and lands downwind. Some damage is reported to the left gear and the fiberglass fuselage.