Primary finding
Probable cause
A cracked no. 2 engine cylinder, and the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during the forced landing, due to excessive airspeed, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. A factor related to the accident was an improper weld repair on the no. 2 cylinder.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that the engine lost power during takeoff. Partial power was available, so he elected to turn 180 degrees and perform a downwind landing on the runway. The airplane touched down on the FAR end of the runway at '70 knots' with a '10 mph tail wind' and ran off the end. It then rolled onto wet grass and slid into a fence. Examination of the airplane revealed a crack in the no.2 cylinder head near a weld repair. Source of the weld repair was not determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
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