Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the aircraft was climbing through 300 feet with an airspeed of approximately 80 mph when the engine began to run "very rough" and experienced a loss of power. The power decayed to idle, although the engine continued to operate. The pilot executed a forced landing straight ahead.
Ground Impact and Damage
During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered a ditch. The canopy separated from the airframe, both main landing gear struts were broken, and the fuselage sustained structural damage.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the aircraft's engine was conducted. The engine was started and operated at idle power, and both the left and right ignition systems were checked. No discrepancies were noted during this inspection.
Probable Cause
The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.