Amateur-built Edge-X N147JL accident near Coral Gables, Florida

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB analysis

After performing a preflight inspection of the weight-shift-control aircraft, the pilot departed on a personal flight. After 30 minutes of flying, the engine began to surge. The pilot attempted to regain full engine power; however, the engine continued surging, and the pilot chose to conduct a forced landing to a golf course. During the landing, the aircraft touched down in a grass area, continued into a rocky area, and came to rest inverted in a pond, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

Postaccident examination of the two-stroke engine found water throughout the engine, likely from being submerged in the pond. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation; however, a white clay and white powder substance was noted throughout the fuel system. It is possible that the substance partially occluded the fuel lines, which resulted in the engine surging; however, it could not be determined when the contamination occurred; therefore, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA283 for the full record.