Incident
Shortly after liftoff, the engine lost power when the airplane reached an altitude of 100 to 200 feet. The pilot banked the aircraft to the right, apparently attempting a forced landing in a grassy field. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain.
Witness Accounts
One witness reported that the airplane stalled and spun before colliding with the ground. Another witness, who had observed previous flights of the same airplane, stated that the engine would lose power after takeoff but that the pilot would land on the remaining runway.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the engine revealed that metal ties tightly bound the fuel line against the structure. The vacuum-operated fuel pump was mounted on flexible plastic strips, which allowed the pump to vibrate. Personnel who examined the wreckage reported that this vibration could cause the pump to cavitate. The pilot had logged 1.6 hours in the airplane 10 months before the accident.