What happened
During the initial takeoff climb, a Piper PA-24 suffered a loss of engine power. In the process of performing an emergency landing, the pilot was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.
The investigation
An examination of the engine components revealed that sand had entered the cylinders. This contamination prevented the engine valves and rings from seating properly. Investigation into the aircraft's recent history showed that the plane had been stationary for thirty days prior to the accident. During this period, the aircraft was parked facing into the wind without the cowling being covered or the air inlets being plugged. High winds and blowing sand were recorded on two separate occasions during this thirty-day interval.
Findings
- The engine's mechanical failure was caused by sand ingestion into the cylinders.
- The aircraft was left unprotected from environmental elements while parked in a wind-facing position.
- The pilot did not perform an adequate preflight inspection of the aircraft prior to departure.