Accident Overview
An airplane sustained damage after contacting a fence and nosing over following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred when the pilot attempted to land in a pasture after the engine began to lose power at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet.
Maintenance History
The airplane had been taken to a mechanic for repairs and an annual inspection. Prior to completion of the annual inspection, the pilot decided to retrieve the airplane. The mechanic had not reinstalled the oil filter and had not performed a run-up of the engine. The mechanic was not present when the pilot returned to pick up the airplane. The last annual inspection on the airplane was conducted in June 2004.
Post-Accident Findings
Examination of the engine after the accident indicated that it had suffered from oil starvation and that the oil filter was not installed. A trail of oil was observed from the parking area to the runway. The mechanic had not signed off the airplane as returned to service.