Accident Summary
According to the pilot, no abnormalities were noted during the preflight inspection, engine start, or run-up. During the takeoff roll and initial climb, manifold pressure, RPM, and engine gauges all indicated normal values. After climbing to approximately 125 feet above ground level (AGL), just beyond the runway threshold, the airplane experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power. The pilot described the sensation as "as if the engine was being starved for fuel." About two seconds later, the engine surged momentarily and then quit again. The pilot executed a forced landing straight ahead into a freshly plowed field. During the landing roll, the airplane traversed roughly 300 feet of rough terrain before the nose gear collapsed.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane and a test run of the engine were performed. The engine started and ran normally, with no anomalies detected during the ground test. Inspection of the mixture control cable revealed that a rubber grommet inside the so-called "Adel clamp," which secures the mixture control cable outer housing, had deteriorated. This condition allowed the control cable and its outer housing to shift aft.