What happened
During the takeoff climb at approximately 150 feet above ground level, the aircraft experienced a partial loss of engine power. This power loss caused the airplane to stall, resulting in a collision with trees. Following the impact, the aircraft came to rest partially submerged in a marina basin.
The investigation
Investigators performed a disassembly examination of the core engine and all fuel components, which revealed no mechanical abnormalities. A bench test and disassembly examination of the right-hand magneto condenser were also conducted. This examination showed no damage resulting from the submersion in the water, but did identify a short to ground that would have rendered the magneto inoperative.
Additional computations were performed using the pilot's estimate of fuel on board, occupant weights, and the FAA's estimate of baggage and cargo. These calculations revealed that the aircraft was approximately 272 pounds over its maximum gross takeoff weight. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilot was not BFR current and that the conversion to a three-bladed propeller had not been properly documented in the maintenance records.