Primary finding
Probable cause
Loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance during the 100-hour annual. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that after lift-off the engine began to run rough and lose power. He executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane struck a tree. Postaccident examination revealed a partially blocked fuel injection line. The 100-hour annual inspection was performed on 6/9/95. Time since the annual was 30 hours.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 18, 1995, about 1430 central daylight time, an Aero Commander AC-112, N1455J, registered to a private owner, collided with a tree during takeoff at the Madison County Executive Airport,Huntsville, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 instructional flight. The pilot-in-command and passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated at the Madison County Executive Airport. The pilot stated that after liftoff the engine began to run rough and lose power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane struck a tree on landing. An inspection performed by the FAA found that the #3 nozzle from the fuel injector line was partially blocked. The most recent 100-hour-annual inspection was recorded as performed on June 9, 1995. Time since the annual inspection was 30 hours. -