What happened
The airplane departed from runway 16 and began its climb toward traffic pattern altitude. Shortly after becoming airborne, the engine lost power unexpectedly. The pilot made the decision to land the aircraft in a field located south of the airport. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with two cows and a fence.
The investigation
A mechanical examination of the engine was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. Investigators found that the throttle linkage had become disconnected from the fuel injector body. This separation prevented proper fuel delivery control, leading to the in-flight failure.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the disconnection of the throttle linkage from the fuel injector body. This mechanical failure resulted in a complete loss of engine power during the critical climb phase. The pilot's decision to select a field for an emergency landing was necessitated by this sudden mechanical failure. The impact with the cows and fence occurred during the subsequent landing roll.
Safety message
Regular inspection of engine components, particularly throttle linkages and fuel system connections, is essential to prevent in-flight power loss. Ensuring that all mechanical linkages are secure and properly installed can help avoid catastrophic failures during critical phases of flight.