What happened
During the first flight following a complete restoration of the aircraft, the pilot reported that the start, taxi, and takeoff procedures were normal. However, while climbing at approximately 150 feet AGL, the engine suddenly lost power. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot elected to perform an emergency landing on a highway running parallel to the airfield.
While the roadway was initially clear of traffic, a truck appeared over a rise in the road. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft toward the side of the highway to avoid the vehicle. Just prior to touchdown, the left wing struck a tree, causing the aircraft to spin to the left. This impact resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear and caused the right wing to contact the ground.
Following the accident, the pilot exited the aircraft and returned to secure the cockpit once it was safe to do so. The pilot noted that the magneto switches, which are unguarded toggle switches located on the lower left side of the wall, were in the off position. The pilot stated they had no recollection of turning these switches off before exiting the aircraft.
The investigation
After the aircraft was moved back to the airport, the engine was started and operated for several minutes. During this testing, there was no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction found in the engine.