Accident Description
Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was climbing through an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot attempted to return to the departure runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft collided with trees and subsequently struck the ground, coming to rest in an area adjacent to the runway.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed that the incorrect model of carburetor had been installed on the engine. The engine had been operating with an excessively rich fuel mixture due to a carburetor problem. Work had been performed on the carburetor in an attempt to correct the rich mixture condition.
Post-accident inspection of the carburetor disclosed that the mixture control arm was wired at a position corresponding to 40 to 50 percent of its travel range from lean to rich. Additionally, the fuel shutoff needle valve was found to be excessively worn, which caused the needle valve to occasionally fail to seat properly. No other evidence of engine malfunction was discovered during the examination.