What happened
During a training flight consisting of several touch-and-go landings, the aircraft experienced an engine failure while in the climb out phase. An eyewitness on the ramp reported hearing a loud sound similar to a backfire at the moment the engine quit.
At an altitude of approximately 250 feet, the airplane entered an abrupt, steep left turn. The aircraft completed nearly a 180-degree turn before impacting the ground in a near vertical attitude. The wreckage was located 180 feet to the left of the extended centerline of the departure runway. Following the impact, the airplane erupted into flames almost immediately.
The investigation
An examination of the aircraft wreckage on site established that flight control continuity was intact. Investigators found that the engine and its accessory section had sustained extensive damage due to fire.
During the teardown of the engine, the crankshaft and camshaft were found to have maintained continuity. All internal components of the engine exhibited normal wear.