Accident Summary
Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of 250 to 300 feet, the engine lost power. The student pilot at the controls determined that insufficient altitude remained to turn and glide back to the airport and attempted to land in a field. The airplane cleared trees but then stalled over the field. It initially struck the ground on the right main landing gear, bounced, and nosed over. Shortly thereafter, the airplane became engulfed in flames.
Aircraft and Engine Information
The engine had reportedly accumulated less than 250 hours of operation since its last overhaul. The airplane had flown about 4 hours on the day before the accident with no problems noted. Both wing tanks were filled with fuel prior to the accident flight. From the limited engine examination possible, no mechanical anomalies were detected.
Meteorological Conditions
The ambient temperature and dew point conditions at the time indicated a probability of serious carburetor icing at glide power.
Pilot Information
The student pilot at the controls did not respond to information requests. There was no evidence that either of the student pilots had received any flight instruction or was otherwise qualified to operate the accident airplane.