Accident Summary
On September 17, 2010, at approximately 1517 eastern daylight time, a CA Tecnam SRL P2004 Bravo light sport airplane, registration N508LM, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The loss occurred on initial climb out after takeoff from runway 28 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Mason Jewett Field (TEW), Mason, Michigan. The pilot, who was also the registered owner and operator, was seriously injured. He remained hospitalized and subsequently died on October 26, 2010. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.
Witness Observations
A witness reported observing the airplane between 50 and 100 feet above ground level when the engine sounded like it lost power. The witness subsequently saw the propeller stop turning. It appeared to the witness that the pilot attempted to land on the runway, but the airplane ultimately impacted a bean field about 150 feet north of the runway.
Pilot Information
The 76-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and glider ratings. He was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on April 18, 2008, with a limitation for corrective lenses. According to his logbook, the pilot had accumulated approximately 1,493 hours total flight time, with about 41 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent flight review was satisfactorily completed on March 3, 2009. The pilot's death was attributed to the consequences of trauma from the accident.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was issued a Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Airplane Airworthiness Certificate on April 12, 2007. The pilot purchased the airplane on May 14, 2010. Maintenance records indicated the most recent annual inspection was completed on January 26, 2010. The last entry, dated August 30, 2010, referenced replacement of main landing gear bolts and noted a total airframe time of 155 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated approximately 162 hours.
Investigation Details
A postaccident examination of the aircraft, including a detailed examination of the engine, did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. A fuel sample was checked for water and ethanol content with no discrepancies noted. No probable cause was determined by the investigation.