Aircoupe A2 pilot reported engine failure on takeoff resulted in landing on remaining runway and a runway excursion.

Date: 2025-07 · Aircraft: Aircoupe A2 · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|ground-excursion-runway

Synopsis

Aircoupe A2 pilot reported engine failure on takeoff resulted in landing on remaining runway and a runway excursion.

Narrative

I was conducting an aircraft checkout flight after annual inspection experienced engine stall on take-off at approximately 100' AGL. I was able to land the aircraft on remaining runway; however the aircraft skidded off runway end and into grass before stopping. No damage to aircraft; ground equipment and no injury resulted. The aircraft was quickly moved out of the active runway area. Maintenance facility is currently examining possible causes; to include possible vapor lock; carburetor icing; or faulty fuel system. Other notes:- I performed a thorough preflight inspection of work done with the mechanic who performed the annual inspection. - There was some debris from the right tank when sump draining the fuel. This was removed after several drain attempts; and confirmed with the mechanic.- I performed a thorough run-up test per POH instructions with no abnormalities; including 1700RPM test of mags. The carb heat check showed correct operation. With carb heat COLD; the carb temperature gauge showed approx 10° above yellow (warning zone). - After run-up to take-off was approximately 1-2 minutes.- Take-off was performed with carb heat COLD; full rich mixture; full throttle. Power and acceleration were nominal with no abnormalities.- At approximately 100' AGL; the engine RPM dropped to idle abruptly within 1-2 seconds with no changes to throttle or mixture. Engine stuttered briefly once then stopped - I was able to slip and land on remaining runway; however unable to stop before runway end. I veered to left into grass-dirt and stopped approximately 40' off the end of the runway.- After pushing the aircraft back to the taxiway; the aircraft started normally.- The mechanic re-inspected venting; debris; filters; fuel lines and found no abnormalities that might cause the engine stop. Vapor lock or carb ice are suspected causes; but more research is being done. - A similar failure occurred with this aircraft at ZZZ1 airport. At that time it was believed vapor lock occurred after a lengthy wait for takeoff on a hot day. The problem hasn't recurred since then; and may be unrelated.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.