What happened
The pilot reported that the engine started and ran normally through liftoff. About 100 feet above takeoff, the engine lost power, restarted, then quit again. After the accident, mouse nests were found in the engine compartment and nest debris was found in the airduct and airbox. The engine started and ran during a test.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed significant obstructions within the intake system. Mouse nests were discovered in the engine compartment, with debris lodged in the airduct and airbox. These blockages likely caused intermittent fuel starvation or airflow restriction, resulting in the reported power loss.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was the presence of foreign objects within the engine's air intake system. Mouse nests obstructed the airflow, leading to engine malfunction during a critical phase of flight.