Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that the initial acceleration was normal. However, as the aircraft climbed to approximately 70 feet above ground level (agl), the engine ceased operating abruptly, as described by the pilot: "the engine quit - no pops, sputters, just quit." The pilot then attempted to diagnose and rectify the issue by extending the flaps.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft then descended and contacted the runway with only approximately 100 feet of runway remaining. It subsequently rolled off the end of the runway, traversed through grassy terrain, and struck a guard rail situated about 100 feet beyond the runway's end. The impact carried the aircraft over the guard rail, across an adjacent highway, and finally into a ditch where it came to a stop.
Post-Accident Examination
Investigators examined the airplane's fuel system and discovered a broken fuel line located aft of the fuel selector valve. This break was in a region where the fuselage had been crushed inward. Inspection of the wing fuel tanks revealed that one-half gallon of fuel was recovered from each of the two tanks. No evidence of any preexisting fuel leak was found on the aircraft. Additionally, the accident site showed no signs of fuel spillage. Examination of the engine and all other aircraft systems revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the power loss.
Findings
The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The subsequent emergency landing was carried out, but the aircraft overran the available runway and struck an obstacle off the airfield. The broken fuel line in the area of crush damage suggests a post-impact failure, but the cause of the engine failure remains undetermined based solely on the available factual data.