Beech C24R Forced Landing After Takeoff (N1802N)

Accident Overview and Flight History A Beech C24R was substantially damaged during a forced landing just after takeoff to the north from a 3,300-foot long turf runway. The flight was the first of the day for both the pilot and the airplane. The pilot had filled the fuel tanks a few days before the accident and had flown the aircraft only once since then, for about 1 1/2 hours. He estimated that flight consumed approximately 18 of the 57 gallons of usable fuel. ## Preflight and Takeoff During the preflight inspection for the accident flight, the pilot did not look into the wing fuel tanks to check quantity as instructed by the pilot’s operating handbook. He stated that, based on his recent fueling and flight history, he “knew the status of the fuel.” The takeoff was normal until approximately 80 feet above ground level, when the pilot experienced what he variously described as a “loss of power” or a “loss of airspeed.” ## Impact and Investigation Findings The airplane descended along the runway and impacted the clearway in a roughly wings-level attitude. Fuel purchase records and the pilot’s flight records substantiated his estimate of takeoff fuel. However, only minimal amounts of fuel were detected at the accident site. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any indications of preexisting fuel leaks or other mechanical anomalies. Subsequent to the accident, the engine was successfully test-run.