Amateur-built S1 N42JF accident near Santa Paula, California

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after refueling the airplane, the pilot departed the runway on a local flight. Multiple witnesses at the airport heard the airplane’s engine make popping sounds during the airplane’s initial climb before it turned onto the left crosswind leg of the traffic pattern. The airplane continued onto the left downwind leg at a lower-than-normal traffic pattern altitude, and the engine again made popping sounds before it became quiet like it lost total power. The airplane turned left toward the runway while another airplane was on final approach to the same runway, then it made a sharp right turn back toward the downwind before it descended behind trees. The pilot of the other airplane stated that he heard no radio communications from the accident pilot and that his passenger saw the accident airplane below their position before it impacted the ground in a storage facility and erupted into flames.

Postaccident and follow-up examinations of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation; however, many components exhibited extensive thermal damage that limited the examinations. The main fuel tank was mostly consumed by postimpact fire and the fuel cap was not found during the onsite examination. It is likely that the fuel cap was also consumed by postimpact fire. Both propeller blades were bent slightly aft and showed no rotational signatures. Postaccident testing performed on a fuel sample from the airport fueling pump revealed no fuel anomaly.

The accident pilot’s premature left turn toward the runway was likely an emergency maneuver to immediately return to the runway due to the total loss of engine power, and the subsequent right turn was likely to avoid the other airplane that was on final approach.

It is unknown whether the accident pilot attempted to provide any radio communications about the emergency return to the runway. Such communications can enhance awareness for other pilots so that they can look for and yield to an aircraft in distress.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24FA287 for the full record.