Accident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight. The preflight inspection and pre-takeoff engine run-up revealed no anomalies. The airplane departed from runway 01L and was climbing through 1,100 feet msl (463 feet agl) when the pilot noticed a hot smell. Subsequently, the engine lost total power.
Attempted Recovery and Forced Landing
The pilot attempted to find a suitable landing area while the pilot-rated passenger, a certified flight instructor (CFI), attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart. The pilot then relinquished control of the airplane to the CFI, who executed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane impacted a tree and came to a stop upright.
Witness Account
A pilot-rated witness reported hearing the airplane's engine 'missing badly' during the initial takeoff climb.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed no open maintenance discrepancies. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined during the airframe examination or engine test run.