Accident Overview
A single-engine airplane impacted terrain during a forced landing after a loss of engine power following takeoff. The accident occurred on a 2,900-foot long by 50-foot wide turf runway.
Witness Observations
One witness at the airport observed the airplane takeoff and noted a "slight" descent after liftoff, followed by a pitch-up and subsequent stall. Another witness reported hearing a "chugging" noise from the engine. The airplane came to rest in an open grass field approximately 100 feet left of the runway centerline and 102 feet from the departure end of the runway.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude with a left bank, rotating 180 degrees before stopping. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel selector valve was in the right tank position, throttle full forward, primer locked, and mixture near the idle cut-off position. Flight control continuity was established. Both main fuel tanks were breached, and an area of dead grass several feet in diameter was evident beneath both fuel tank areas.
The gascolator was observed to be dry. Further engine examination established valve train continuity through the accessory gears. The spark plugs were removed and the engine rotated by hand; compression was noted on all cylinders, and spark was obtained from both magnetos. All cylinders were inspected with a lighted borescope, and no anomalies were found. The number 1 and 3 cylinder bottom spark plugs showed excessive lead fouling.
Fuel was observed in the electric boost pump, and the fuel screen was clean. The induction air filter was fuel-soaked. The carburetor fuel inlet screen housing was fractured; the carburetor was removed and disassembled, revealing metal floats and an empty fuel bowl. Engine fuel lines were destroyed. The crankshaft propeller flange and exhaust system were bent aft. The oil cooler exhibited impact damage, and a hole was observed in the oil sump at the rear of the engine below the accessory housing.
Maintenance History
The last annual inspection was completed on February 7, 2003, and signed off by an A&P mechanic. The engine had been removed from another airplane on July 25, 2001, with a recorded time of 283.42 hours since major overhaul (SMOH). The approximate time since major overhaul at the time of the accident was 1,520.75 hours.
The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.