Incident Overview
A pilot departing Millington Airport reported an engine anomaly shortly after takeoff. The aircraft had used runway 4 from intersection 'C' and climbed to approximately 400 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a slight power reduction of no more than 50 RPM. The pilot verified the mixture, fuel, ignition, and carburetor heat controls were correctly set, then decided to return to runway 22.
Loss of Power and Landing
During the turn toward runway 22, the engine lost power entirely. The pilot established a glide approach but was unable to reach the runway. The airplane touched down about 300 feet short of runway 22 in a field and subsequently rolled into a ditch, causing substantial structural damage.
Post-Incident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel noted that the pilot had topped off the aircraft with fuel before the flight. A sample of the fuel was tested and showed no evidence of contamination. An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies.
Weather and Carburetor Ice Considerations
According to carburetor probability charts, the prevailing weather conditions at the time were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. No other causal factors were identified during the investigation.
Conclusion
The engine power loss occurred without a mechanical or fuel system fault. The conditions present were conducive to carburetor icing, though the official report does not explicitly attribute the power loss to that cause.