Incident Overview
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot of an airplane reported a loss of engine power during takeoff. The event occurred when the aircraft was approximately 50 to 75 feet above ground level. Faced with the power loss, the pilot chose to perform a forced landing in a nearby field.
Landing and Damage
During the landing, the airplane nosed over. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings and the vertical fin of the aircraft. First responders who arrived at the scene noted that they did not observe any fuel draining from the airplane.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted. This inspection revealed that there was no fuel present in the right wing tank. The left wing tank contained approximately 5 gallons of fuel. The examination did not identify any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Summary
The incident involved a loss of engine power during the takeoff phase, a forced landing in a field, and a subsequent nose-over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its wings and vertical fin. Fuel was absent from the right tank, while the left tank held a small amount. No mechanical issues were found during the examination.