Accident Sequence
The airplane took off and climbed to about 150 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that the initial climb was normal, but then the airplane hesitated and stopped climbing. After a slow climb for a couple of seconds, it began to descend. The airspeed decreased, the stall warning sounded, and the airplane started to buffet. The pilot lowered the nose and made a slight right turn to avoid obstacles. He wanted to bank further right but observed two telephone poles along the flight path. The right wing struck a building-mounted antenna as the pilot reduced engine power. Subsequently, the landing gear contacted the roof of a building and two parked vehicles before the airplane impacted a parking lot. The pilot and passengers exited the airplane before it was destroyed by a post-impact fire.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the preflight engine run-up was normal. During takeoff, he rotated the airplane at 80 knots and pitched 10 degrees nose up for best angle of climb. After the airplane began descending, the pilot saw the airspeed drop and heard the stall warning. He stated that there appeared to be a partial loss of power during the initial climb.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the engine after the accident failed to reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction.