Accident Overview
The accident occurred on the first flight after all six engine cylinders had been replaced. The airplane was fueled with 65 gallons of gasoline distributed evenly between the two fuel tanks. No fuel contamination was noted during the preflight inspection. The pilot verified proper engine operation prior to the takeoff roll.
Loss of Power and Forced Landing
During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power at an altitude of 500 to 600 feet above ground level. The pilot executed an immediate forced landing to a cornfield located southwest of the airport. During the landing descent, the airplane contacted a tree before impacting the ground nose-first into the cornfield.
Post-Accident Engine Examination
Following the accident, an engine test run was conducted. The engine did not experience any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in operation during the test run. The engine demonstrated the ability to produce rated horsepower.