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I can flesh out the accident report a bit. After a normal runup and take-off roll on Runway 31 the engine failed about midfield. The airport property comes to a point just SE of the end of the departure end of 31 with a highway on the east and another on the south side of the airport fence. The prop wound down in about 2 seconds and stopped. I was too high and fast to land on the remaining runway and too low to glide beyond the roads off the end of the runway. Landing straight ahead would have put me on the road. Turning to the right and getting to the ground as soon as possible to try to stay within the airport fence seemed my only option. (Yes I know, landing straight ahead is the only acceptable procedure but dumping it on the busy road would assure injuries to innocents as well as myself )
I rolled in full flaps, put the nose down and rolled about a 50 degree bank. I held 70 kt to the ground pulling as much turn as I dared to avoid a stall, attempted to level, touched down right wing low in two feet of snow, and skidded about 125 feet to a stop 100 feet from the fence. I quickly shut off the electric busses and exited the airplane. The right wing is bent and the right fuel tank ruptured. The gear splayed outward but was still supporting the airplane. Both fuel tank leading edge attach points pulled free as Van designed them. The five point harness, pulled snug, held me firmly in place. Crushing of the gear towers absorbed the shock and I had no injuries.
The airplane has flown about 80 hours and 20 hours ground running. I have run diagnostics on the engine and do not know why it failed. The tanks were full, I had normal fuel pressure as I began the TO roll. The pumps still maintain fuel pressure. Using the diagnostic modes, there is still ignition and the injectors click normally. The prop is broken so I haven't attempted a start. I will not purchase the salvage to rebuild the airplane. I am fortunate that there were no injuries nor property damage.
Gaylen Lerohl
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bulent Aliev" <atlasyts@bellsouth.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:35 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Gaylen Okay?
NTSB Identification: CHI08CA057.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, December 30, 2007 in Alexandria, MN
Aircraft: Lerohl RV-8, registration: N5093F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight and run-up of the amateur-built experimental airplane, and he reported that it was operating normally. The airplane had climbed to 200 - 300 feet at 90 knots when the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to the airport property. The airplane landed hard and the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane and engine were inspected but the reason for the loss of power was not determined.
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