Overview
An aircraft crashed in a soybean field shortly after the pilot took off from his 1600-foot turf strip. The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal until the aircraft reached an altitude of 200 to 300 feet above ground level. He could not remember exactly what occurred after that, though he did recall lowering the nose and hearing a buzzer sound at one point.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure. The propeller blades were twisted or bent with chordwise scratches on both blades. The engine was placed in a test cell, where it was started and run to idle RPM. It was not operated above idle RPM due to a bent crankshaft flange. The crankshaft flange was bent during impact.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal until the plane reached an altitude of 200 to 300 feet AGL. After that, he could not remember exactly what had occurred, though he did recall lowering the nose and hearing a buzzer sound at one point.