What happened
The incident occurred during the initial climb phase of flight following takeoff from a sod surface airfield. The pilot reported that the aircraft engine suddenly lost power without prior indication. Attempting to execute a forced landing, the pilot directed the aircraft toward a nearby open field but was unable to reach it due to insufficient altitude or distance.
The aircraft subsequently impacted trees and terrain in a swampy area. Upon impact, the engine compartment became submerged in water. After the accident, maintenance personnel drained the water from the carburetor. Following this procedure, the engine was tested and operated normally at all power settings, indicating that the mechanical failure was likely temporary or related to fluid ingestion rather than internal mechanical damage.
The investigation
Post-acc examination revealed that the engine had been submerged in water following the crash into the swampy terrain. The primary investigative finding focused on the condition of the carburetor after water removal. Testing confirmed that the engine restored full functionality once the ingested water was cleared, suggesting the power loss was not due to a permanent mechanical defect.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that an in-flight engine power loss occurred during takeoff. The inability to reach a suitable forced landing site resulted in a crash into difficult terrain. The restoration of normal engine operation after draining water from the carburetor points to fuel system interruption or hydrolock as the likely cause of the initial power failure.