N6550E

On August 21, 2001, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 175 airplane, N6550E, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a private airstrip located about 10 miles north of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the one pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident airstrip, and was en route to Soldotna, Alaska.

In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB from 6120.1/2) filed by the pilot, he reported that just after takeoff, about 200 feet agl, all engine power was lost. He reported that engine emergency procedures did not restore engine power, and he selected a forced landing area that contained trees. The airplane collided with trees, and sustained extensive damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident scene on August 22, and examined the airplane. He reported that the airplane came to rest inverted within a stand of tall trees, and added that the engine was torn from the fuselage during the accident sequence. The inspector reported that prior to his arrival, the engine and propeller were retrieved by the pilot's friends, and transported to the pilots house. The inspector stated that he removed the carburetor and magnetos from the accident airplane's engine for the purpose of conducting additional testing and examination. In the presence of the FAA airworthiness inspector the accident airplane's carburetor was placed on a test bench. The FAA inspector stated that the carburetor operated normally. The inspector added that the accident airplane's magnetos were placed on a magneto test bench, and both operated normally.