What happened
Shortly after departing from the airport, the aircraft encountered a sudden loss of engine power at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level. The specific reason for this mechanical failure was not immediately determined by investigators. In response to the emergency, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing in the surrounding area.
During the descent and touchdown phase, the left main landing gear collapsed upon impact with a hole in the terrain. This impact caused the aircraft to spin approximately 160 degrees before coming to rest. Following the collision, a fire broke out and rapidly spread throughout the airframe. The intensity of the post-crash fire was sufficient to completely destroy the aircraft, leaving no salvageable components for detailed mechanical analysis.
The investigation
Investigation efforts were severely limited due to the total destruction of the airframe. Investigators examined the site of the forced landing and noted the impact point where the left main gear struck a depression in the ground. Because the fire consumed the majority of the aircraft, no definitive mechanical cause for the initial power loss could be established from physical evidence found at the scene.
Findings
The primary findings centered on the sequence of events leading to the total loss of the aircraft. The critical factors included the unexplained loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and the subsequent inability to maintain controlled flight. The impact with the terrain hole contributed to the severity of the crash, while the post-crash fire ensured the complete destruction of the airframe.