What happened
A certificated private pilot was departing from a private, 2,000-foot long grass airstrip. Prior to takeoff, the pilot had selected the left fuel tank for use. During the initial climb, approximately 100 feet above the ground, the engine suddenly stopped running. The pilot attempted to reach an emergency landing area, but the aircraft collided with several trees during the landing sequence. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and found that the pilot had rebuilt the airplane himself; however, the pilot was not a certificated airframe or powerplant mechanic. Additionally, no airworthiness documentation for the aircraft was available. The engine used in the aircraft was a remanufactured unit that had accumulated 25 hours of use.
A postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed a kink in the fuel line originating from the left fuel tank. Furthermore, the fuel line running from the fuel strainer to the carburetor was found to be only 1/4 inch in diameter, whereas the standard required size is 3/8 inch. The investigation also noted that the installed fuel caps featured 1/4 inch vent lines, despite a requirement for 3/8 inch vent lines.