M20K pilot reported landing in a field after the engine quit in flight. Inspection on the ground rev...

Attributes
ACN	1383939
Time
Date	201608
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	M-20 K (231) / Encore
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 73 Flight Crew Total 767 Flight Crew Type 3
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft

Narrative:

During a test flight of a newly purchased airplane within 5 to 7 minutes after takeoff I experienced two quick pops from the engine. Within 3 seconds of engine popping; the engine quit. I turned on the low boost pump and switched fuel tanks. The engine was still popping and making 20% power to 0% power. I held the high boost pump to the on position and the engine would make a bit more power; however was still losing altitude. After reaching 800 feet AGL picked a suitable off field landing. Set the airplane up with flaps/trim and gear down and committed to my off field landing. After coming to a stop and exiting the airplane; noticed a blue streak of liquid down the left-side of fuselage. Raised oil fill door on top of engine cowling and noticed strong fuel odor. Upon further inspection; found a 1/4 inch fuel line disconnected on fuel system.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: M20K pilot reported landing in a field after the engine quit in flight. Inspection on the ground revealed a fuel line had become disconnected.

Narrative: During a test flight of a newly purchased airplane within 5 to 7 minutes after takeoff I experienced two quick pops from the engine. Within 3 seconds of engine popping; the engine quit. I turned on the low boost pump and switched fuel tanks. The engine was still popping and making 20% power to 0% power. I held the high boost pump to the on position and the engine would make a bit more power; however was still losing altitude. After reaching 800 feet AGL picked a suitable off field landing. Set the airplane up with flaps/trim and gear down and committed to my off field landing. After coming to a stop and exiting the airplane; noticed a blue streak of liquid down the left-side of fuselage. Raised oil fill door on top of engine cowling and noticed strong fuel odor. Upon further inspection; found a 1/4 inch fuel line disconnected on fuel system.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.