Accident Overview
According to the official investigation, during the takeoff climb at approximately 200 feet above ground level near the departure end of the runway, the aircraft's engine suffered a complete loss of power. The pilot promptly performed the necessary emergency procedures, entered a power-off forced landing descent, and executed a right turn to the best available landing area.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft landed hard, bounced, and subsequently collided with a hangar. The impact caused the left wing to separate from the fuselage. An FAA safety inspector examined the aircraft at the scene. During the inspection, approximately 1/4 pint of fuel was drained from the intact right wing. The left wing contained considerably more fuel, but it had lost fuel during the impact.
Engine Examination
The aircraft's engine was removed for further examination. When tested, the engine started and ran at various power settings without any problems, indicating no mechanical failure.
Fuel Selector Observations
In oral and written statements, the certified flight instructor and his student pilot did not indicate that the flight instructor changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank during the flight.