Accident Overview
The airplane involved in the accident had been flown almost daily for short flights. Four days before the accident, it was used for unusual attitude training. The accident occurred on the subsequent flight.
Sequence of Events
After a normal engine runup and takeoff, the engine lost power at the departure end of the runway at an altitude of approximately 300 to 400 feet above ground level. The pilot, flying a STOL-equipped airplane, initiated a turn back toward the airfield. However, the airplane struck trees and then impacted terrain near the approach end of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the scene revealed four propeller strikes in the frozen ground. Both propeller blades were bent backwards at the hub and exhibited leading edge nicks and chordwise scratching. The cockpit controls were found in the following positions: the mixture control full forward, the throttle approximately 1 inch from the full-forward position, the carburetor heat control in the full-in (cold) position, and the fuel selector lever on 'both'. Fuel presence, engine cylinder compression, and crankshaft continuity were confirmed.
Six days after the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector drained fuel from the fuel sump filter and observed minor amounts of ice crystals floating in it. The air temperature at the time of the accident was about 18 degrees Fahrenheit. No further information on the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, or occupants was provided in the source.