What happened
The pilot reported that the engine suddenly lost power while the aircraft was climbing through approximately 150 feet above ground level. Despite the loss of thrust, the pilot continued flying straight ahead. The aircraft subsequently struck the top of a small tree, followed by another small tree, before coming to rest.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the event revealed no definitive reason for the sudden loss of power. Investigators noted that one of the passengers stated the pilot did not run up the engine prior to takeoff, but this observation did not lead to a confirmed mechanical explanation for the failure.
Findings
The primary finding was the unexplained nature of the engine failure during the critical climb phase. The lack of an engine run-up prior to departure was noted by a passenger but could not be verified as the sole cause without further mechanical evidence.