Incident Overview
An airline transport pilot was conducting an aerial application flight in a single-engine, low-wing airplane. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft climbed to approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL) when the engine experienced a partial loss of power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed a controlled descent into small trees located off the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently nosed over.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the incident, an FAA inspector examined the airplane. The inspection revealed that there was sufficient fuel on board for the intended flight, and both water accumulators were empty. The aircraft had undergone its last annual inspection on March 21, 2007. At the time of the inspection, the airframe had accumulated a total of 7,392 flight hours. The engine had logged 7,500 total hours, with 100 hours since its last inspection.
Investigation Findings
Despite the examination, the cause for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.