Incident Overview
A certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot conducted a flight that ended with a forced landing to a freeway after the engine lost power during the initial climb. The airplane sustained substantial damage in the landing, which involved striking two light poles with the right wing before coming to a stop on the freeway surface.
Preflight and Takeoff
During preflight, the CFI and student pilot checked the fuel quantity. One tank was full, and the other contained over half a tank. The fuel selector was positioned to the fullest tank for takeoff. The run-up included checks of the carburetor heat, magnetos, and fuel boost pump; all appeared normal. The student pilot performed the takeoff, and the takeoff roll and rotation felt normal to the CFI.
Initial Climb and Engine Anomaly
During the initial climb, the airspeed was low and the airplane was not climbing well. The tachometer indicated 2,300 rpm, whereas the CFI expected 2,700 rpm. The CFI instructed the student pilot to continue climbing straight ahead. He then pulled the carburetor heat to ON. The rpm dropped to 1,100–1,200 and the engine ran extremely rough. The airplane was about 300–400 feet above ground level (agl). The student pilot lowered the nose to maintain airspeed. The CFI turned the carburetor heat OFF, and the rpm returned to 2,300, but then the engine quit.
Forced Landing
The CFI took control of the airplane. The engine momentarily restarted but then quit again. The CFI prepared to make a forced landing on a nearby freeway and instructed the student pilot to switch fuel tanks, but this had no effect. During the landing, the right wing struck two light poles, then the airplane impacted the freeway and skidded to a stop.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the engine revealed no preexisting anomalies. Fuel was found in both wing fuel tanks. A fuel receipt indicated that the airplane had been fueled with 15.0 gallons of fuel on the morning of the accident.
Conclusions
The investigation did not identify any mechanical abnormalities that could explain the power loss. The presence of fuel in both tanks suggests fuel starvation was not due to an empty tank. The specific cause of the engine power loss remains undetermined based on the available evidence.