Accident Narrative
The pilot reported that, after accelerating and lifting off from a 3,053-foot-long asphalt runway, the airplane reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet above ground level when he felt a loss of engine power. The airplane began to sink, impacted trees, and came to rest in a wooded area approximately 600 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway.
Maintenance History
A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the most recent annual inspection was performed about 7 months prior to the accident. Since that inspection, the airplane had been operated for about 3 hours. Over the 3-year period before the inspection, the airplane accumulated a total of about 50 flight hours.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported a total of 225 hours of flight experience, which included approximately 57 hours accumulated in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
Post-Accident Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions.