Accident Overview
On July 17, 2020, at about 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RV-8 airplane, registration N508CM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grimes, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, he landed the airplane at a friend's private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the initial takeoff roll, the engine lost power, and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, a mechanic examined the engine but was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, and then proceeded to take off. When the airplane was about 50 to 70 feet above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Investigation
The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.