N954W

On April 13, 1996, at 1335 central daylight time (cdt), a Siai- Marchetti, S.205/22R, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during initial climb, the airplane's engine lost power. The airplane subsequently impacted on a road. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A VFR flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated at Anoka, Minnesota, and was en route to Mandan, North Dakota.

In his written statement, the pilot said that just after takeoff, the airplane "lost partial power and would climb only very slowly." He began a slow left turn in an attempt to return to the airport and land on the perpendicular runway. Following the turn, the pilot determined that the airplane could no longer maintain altitude. The pilot elected to perform a gear-up forced landing on a road. The airplane struck a power line and two vehicles before impacting on the road.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the scene found the airplane resting upright on a road. There was damage to the underside of the fuselage just aft of the right wing root. There was crush damage to the outboard two feet of the right wing along the leading edge. The left wingtip had been sheared off and the wing was bent in from the leading edge to the spar. The propeller exhibited tip bending. Flight control continuity was confirmed. All other systems, with exception of the engine, revealed no anomalies.

Examination of the engine revealed that the left muffler baffle had broken loose from the muffler and was blocking the exhaust stack. All three of the right side engine exhaust pipes were found loose and leaking at the cylinder heads.