Incident Overview
During the takeoff climb, at approximately 70 feet above ground level, the airplane's engine seized. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing. No further details on the outcome or injuries are available in the source material.
Engine Maintenance History
The engine had recently undergone maintenance involving the replacement of the number 1 cylinder. No other components were replaced during this maintenance action. The replacement cylinder bore paint marks indicating it had been chrome plated to standard bore dimensions. In contrast, the three remaining cylinders and all pistons were marked as 0.010 oversize.
Maintenance Procedure
The operator's director of maintenance obtained the replacement cylinder and provided it to the mechanic. The mechanic later stated that he was unaware of the significance of the color marks on the cylinders. Additionally, the mechanic did not measure the matching parts (cylinders and pistons) during the replacement process to ensure compatibility.
Findings
The mismatch between the standard bore replacement cylinder and the oversize remaining cylinders and pistons likely led to improper fit. The mechanic's lack of knowledge regarding cylinder identification markings and failure to verify part compatibility contributed to the improper installation. The engine seizure occurred during the subsequent takeoff climb.