Overview
A private pilot took off from a hay field under calm wind conditions. Shortly after departure, during the initial climb, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing, touching down in a field across an old railroad bed.
Incident Details
During the landing roll, the aircraft crossed a raised gravel railroad bed. The impact sheared the left main landing gear and the nose gear. Additionally, the engine mount and firewall sustained damage. The pilot later speculated that water contamination in the fuel might have caused the engine stoppage.
Post-Accident Examination
Investigators inspected the fuel system but found no water. A post-accident engine run was conducted by an A&P mechanic. The test run failed to identify any mechanical defect or other evidence that could explain the reported engine stoppage.