Incident Overview
A pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings for approximately 30 minutes. During the final takeoff, at an altitude between 500 and 600 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine sputtered and then quit. After losing power, the pilot attempted to return to the runway but landed just short of the threshold in a ditch. The pilot noted that the ditch was not visible from the air.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, the airplane owner conducted an inspection. The rubber fuel supply line from the fuel tanks was found to be plugged with rubber material. This blockage restricted the fuel supply to the engine. The rubber material was physically similar to the material of the fuel supply line itself. Further examination revealed that the fuel supply line was deteriorated.
Findings
The inspection identified that the fuel supply line had deteriorated internally, producing rubber debris that obstructed fuel flow. The clogged line prevented adequate fuel delivery to the engine, leading to the power loss.