What happened
The engine experienced a complete loss of power during the initial climb phase following takeoff. As the pilot attempted to maneuver the aircraft back toward the airport, it struck trees in the vicinity. The specific registration number for the aircraft involved was not provided in the source documentation.
The investigation
A mechanical examination of the engine components revealed significant wear on the internal ignition parts. Specifically, the center electrodes of all spark plugs were found to be excessively worn and covered with carbon deposits. To verify the condition of these components, they were subjected to a Champion fire testor at a pressure of 55 PSI. None of the plugs were able to generate a spark under these conditions. Furthermore, when tested against the Champion massive electrode wear gauge, all plugs failed to meet the minimum operational standards for reuse.
Findings
The primary mechanical failure was attributed to fuel exhaustion caused by ignition system failure. The root cause was identified as severely worn spark plugs. These components had degraded to a point where they could no longer function effectively, leading to engine stoppage during a critical phase of flight.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of regular maintenance checks on ignition systems. Pilots and mechanics must ensure that spark plugs are within wear limits before flight. Engine failure due to worn components can occur without warning if inspections are neglected.