What happened
The incident involved a student pilot operating a float-equipped Piper J3 aircraft. Shortly after initiating the takeoff roll, the pilot reported experiencing a sudden loss of engine power while the aircraft was approximately 150 feet above ground level. Due to the low altitude and the nature of the failure, the pilot determined that returning to the departure lake was not feasible.
Consequently, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby wooded area. During this forced landing maneuver, the aircraft struck a tree, which caused significant structural damage. The airplane then slid down the terrain to the base of the slope. Following the impact, a post-crash fire engulfed the wreckage, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Following the accident, an examination of the wreckage was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors on scene. The purpose of this inspection was to determine the mechanical cause of the reported power loss. However, the physical evidence recovered from the site did not reveal any obvious mechanical failure or defect that would explain why the engine stopped producing power.
Findings
The primary finding of the investigation was that the cause of the reported power loss could not be determined through on-scene examination. The aircraft was destroyed by fire after impacting terrain and a tree during an attempted emergency landing.