What happened
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was climbing at an altitude of approximately 60 to 70 feet above the ground. During this initial climb phase, the engine RPM decreased significantly. The departure area was bounded by hardwood trees on both sides of the runway.
Faced with the mechanical issue and the confined space, the pilot elected to turn back toward the airstrip. During this maneuver, the airplane stalled. As it descended, the right wing tip dragged along the ground before the aircraft collided with the terrain.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that a spark plug had blown out. Further inspection showed that the cylinder spark plug hole had been previously fitted with a Helicoil insert, indicating prior repair work on this component.
Findings
The pilot reported that the immediate cause of the power loss was the blown spark plug. The combination of the engine failure at low altitude and the subsequent stall during the return maneuver led to the collision with the ground.