What happened
The accident occurred during the initial climb phase immediately following takeoff. At an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. As the aircraft descended, the pilot managed to regain engine power. However, before reaching a safe altitude, the aircraft struck a fence. Following this impact, the aircraft continued its descent and impacted the ground.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft following the accident to determine the mechanical condition of the propulsion system. The inspection revealed no evidence of an engine malfunction or failure prior to the accident event. This finding suggests that the power loss was not caused by a pre-existing mechanical defect in the engine itself at the time of examination.
Findings
While the physical inspection did not identify a mechanical fault, operational data provided critical context. The operator reported that the left magneto had failed prior to or during the incident. This failure likely contributed to the loss of power experienced by the pilot during the critical initial climb phase.