What happened
Shortly after initiating takeoff, the aircraft's engine began operating roughly and experienced a significant loss of power. Recognizing the imminent mechanical failure, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. The available terrain was a golf course. To prevent potential injury to golfers on the fairways, the pilot intentionally directed the aircraft into nearby trees.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed several critical mechanical failures. The fuel servo center bellows seal was found to be ruptured. This rupture would have caused an excessively rich fuel-air mixture, disrupting normal combustion. Additionally, the fuel servo unit contained contamination in the form of rust material. One fuel injector was also found to be plugged, further restricting fuel flow.
Findings
The engine failure was directly linked to internal fuel system components. The ruptured seal and contaminated servo unit prevented proper fuel metering. The plugged injector compounded the issue. These mechanical defects resulted in the loss of power during the critical climb phase.