Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons, and rough/uneven condition of the terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot said that he had just departed and had adjusted the engine controls for 36 inches of manifold pressure and 2,400 revolutions per minute for climb. He said that he turned to a north heading when the engine lost power. The pilot said that he attempted to land back at the airport, but ended up landing in an open field. He said the engine separated from the airframe and the empennage partially separated from the fuselage.
The pilot said that the engine had been overhauled approximately 20 hours before the accident. The pilot reported that he fueled the airplane on March 14, 2007, with 63 gallons of fuel; he said, "both sides were topped off." He said that on March 21, 2007, he flew the airplane for approximately one hour, and on April 14, 2007, he flew the airplane again for approximately one hour. A postaccident evaluation of the engine was not completed. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07CA102