Accident Sequence
After departing the runway, the airplane did not climb above an altitude of 30 feet. It subsequently drifted to the left of the runway and settled onto the ground.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that the engine "missed, quivered, and lost power." He also stated that light frost was present on the airplane, but indicated that other small airplanes had departed with similar frost without any problems.
Engine Installation and Testing
The engine had been installed on the airplane one day prior to the accident. Prior to the accident flight, it had been operated on the ground only. Following the accident, an undamaged propeller was fitted, and the engine was run at 1,000 rpm for four minutes. The engine-driven fuel pump, fuel controller, and fuel distributor and nozzles were examined. Testing revealed that all these components produced fuel flows and pressures within the normal range specified by the manufacturer.