Incident Description
A pilot completed a normal preflight inspection of the airplane before rolling it out of the hangar. The engine run-up was normal, and the subsequent takeoff and initial climb were also without issue. Shortly after liftoff, however, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot immediately selected a corn field adjacent to the departure end of the runway for an emergency landing. The airplane touched down in the field, where it struck a fence and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no other anomalies during the flight.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination of the airplane and engine assembly did not reveal any component failure or malfunction. A thorough inspection of the fuel system, however, identified a wasp nest obstructing the fuel system vent. The presence of the nest was noted. Beyond this finding, no other defects were discovered.