Incident Overview
A pilot reported a loss of power while towing a glider during the initial climb phase of takeoff. The aircraft was approximately 50 feet above ground level when the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power accompanied by black smoke trailing from the aircraft. The pilot immediately released the glider, but determined that the altitude and aircraft energy were insufficient to execute a return to the runway.
Forced Landing and Damage
The pilot executed a forced landing onto soft desert soil. During the landing rollout, the landing gear collapsed and the left wing sustained damage.
Engine Examination
A preliminary examination of the engine revealed heavy sooting on all spark plugs. No external evidence of a catastrophic failure was noted.
Carburetor Assessment
The pilot indicated a belief that an internal malfunction of the carburetor was responsible for the power loss. Subsequently, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined both the engine and carburetor. The inspector reported that the carburetor was too badly damaged to allow any determination regarding potential discrepancies.