Accident Details
On December 8, 2020, at approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-12, registered as N2554M, was involved in an accident near Spearfish, South Dakota. The aircraft was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 maintenance test/check flight. The private pilot and a passenger were uninjured.
Sequence of Events
Before the flight, maintenance personnel had completed an annual inspection and performed post-inspection engine run-ups. They subsequently turned the fuel selector to the OFF position. The pilot arrived at the maintenance facility with a passenger to conduct the post-maintenance test/check flight. He reported that the left fuel tank was ½ full and the right fuel tank was ¾ full, and that he positioned the fuel selector to the right fuel tank.
After performing an engine run-up, the pilot initiated takeoff. The airplane climbed to about 70 ft above the runway. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power for a few seconds, regained power for a few more seconds, and then lost total power. The pilot lowered the airplane’s nose to increase airspeed, and the airplane continued to descend. He attempted to flare the airplane, but it landed hard on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage tubular structure.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident engine run revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.