Accident Overview
On August 22, 2010, at approximately 1150 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5A airplane, registration N26118, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing about 1 mile north of the Lake County Airport in Lakeview, Oregon. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a personal cross-country flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Lakeview and was en route to Burns, Oregon.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that during the preflight and preflight run-up, no anomalies were detected with the airplane's engine. Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 150 feet above ground level, the engine revolutions per minute (rpm) dropped from 2,500 to 1,500 rpm. The pilot immediately checked fuel quantities and attempted to lean the engine. Despite these efforts, the problem persisted, and the pilot initiated an off-airport landing to an open field about 1 mile north of LKV. During the landing roll, the airplane's left wing struck a fence post and the empennage collided with tall sage brush, resulting in substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed that the left wing and empennage sustained substantial damage. An engine compression test found no compression in the number three cylinder. Further examination showed that the exhaust valve was stuck in the full open position. No further anomalies with the cylinder assembly or engine were noted.