Incident Overview
During the initial climb phase after takeoff, the motorized glider's engine encountered a problem. Witnesses stated that the engine either ceased operation or was running unevenly, sputtering. The aircraft then flew over two separate witnesses at an altitude just above the surrounding treetops. At that point, the propeller was observed to be windmilling rather than being driven by the engine. Later, the engine was heard again, but it was described as being excessively loud and racing. Almost immediately after this noise, the sound of an impact was heard, indicating the crash.
Site and Aircraft Examination
The accident site was located in an open field, which was bordered by a tree line. The glider had impacted just after overflying the edge of that tree line. The impact attitude was determined to be nearly vertical, nose down, based on the site examination. The flight control system was checked and found to be intact and fully functional. A detailed examination of the engine was conducted, but it failed to reveal any explanation for the loss of engine power that occurred during flight.