Accident Overview
The aircraft, N65729, was rented from a fixed-base operator for a local flight. Witnesses observed the airplane trailing light gray smoke shortly after takeoff from runway 15 and heard the engine lose power. The airplane was seen in a steep left bank turn at an altitude between 300 and 500 feet above ground level. It then descended in a nose-low attitude into the parking lot of an industrial plant.
Engine Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the two-piece carburetor primary venturi had separated from its normal mounted position and was ingested into the No. 2 cylinder. The manufacturer had issued several service bulletins addressing the installation of a new one-piece venturi. Specifically, Precision Airmotive issued Service Bulletin MSA 2 on October 15, 1990. Review of the engine logbook for N65729 indicated that Service Bulletin MSA 2 had not been accomplished.
Findings
The engine logbook documented that the required service bulletin to replace the two-piece venturi with a one-piece design was not performed. The separation of the venturi led to engine power loss and subsequent loss of control.
(Note: No information on injuries, fatalities, weather, or ATC involvement was provided in the source.)