What happened
During the takeoff phase, the pilot leaned the engine prior to departure. As the aircraft reached approximately 50 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. In an attempt to recover, the pilot switched fuel tanks, enriched the mixture, and pumped the throttle to initiate a restart. While the engine briefly ran for several seconds after the first attempt, it failed again shortly thereafter. Following a second unsuccessful restart attempt, the pilot executed a forced landing. During the maneuver, the airplane struck a log, resulting in damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors regarding engine operation and maintenance. The pilot noted that the power loss could have been induced by over-leaning the engine. Additionally, the fuel flow may have been restricted because the fuel selector was inadvertently moved beyond the tank detent.
Regarding aircraft maintenance and legality, the following discrepancies were noted:
- The aircraft was fueled with a mixture of aviation fuel and auto gas without the required Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the use of auto gas.
- The aircraft had not undergone its required annual inspection within the previous 12 months.
- The pilot's medical certificate had expired.