Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that during the initial climbout, between 500 and 800 feet above ground level, the engine developed a partial loss of power. The engine RPM dropped to 1500. At that point, the pilot determined that a return to the shoreline for an emergency landing was not feasible.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the engine disclosed that a stainless steel flex fuel line was in contact with the induction elbow on the left side of the engine. A hole was found in the induction elbow at the location where the braided fuel line crossed over the intake manifold.
Functional Test
The left induction elbow with the hole was removed and installed on another IO-520 engine for functional evaluation. The engine was mounted in a test cell. A functional run demonstrated that the manifold pressure at full power with the damaged induction elbow was identical to the manifold pressure at full power with an undamaged induction elbow.