Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the initial takeoff climb, the engine missed or hesitated a couple of times, followed seconds later, by a partial loss of engine power. The airplane touched down past the departure end of the 3,804 foot runway, impacted a tree, crossed a road and came to rest against dense bushes and trees. Post accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 14, 1995, at 1215 central daylight time, a Beech BE19, N1946L, was substantially damaged upon collision with trees during a forced landing near Lago Vista, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot, everything was "normal" during acceleration, lift off, and initial takeoff climb, while departing from Runway 15 at the Rusty Allen Airport, near Lago Vista, Texas. The pilot added that, at approximately 75 to 100 feet AGL, the engine "missed or hesitated" a couple of times. Within a couple of seconds, the engine tachometer read within 1,500 to 1,700 RPM and the engine lost partial power. The airplane, with its landing gear extended, touched down past the departure end of the 3,804 foot runway. The airplane impacted a juniper tree, crossed a road running perpendicular to the runway, and came to rest against dense bushes and trees. Both wings sustained structural damage, the engine mount was bent, all three landing gears collapsed, and the empennage was bent to the left aft of the cabin. One propeller blade was found undamaged. Post-accident examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, and a representative from the powerplant manufacturer (report enclosed), did not disclose any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. -