19990820013209A

Pilot was attempting to return to the arpt for unknown reasons shortly after take-off when the acft crashed in an orchid field, other circumstances are unknown. (.4) on August 20, 1999, at 1510 hours PDT, a Mooney M20E, N6022Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a post-maintenance check flight at Lampson Airport, Lakeport, lake aero styling & repair under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91, was on departure climb out from Lampson at the time of the accident. The commerical licensed pilot was seriously injuried. The post-maintenance check flight was performed following repair of damage caused by a gear-up landing. According to the operator, the repairs cosisted of replacement of (fuselage) belly skin panels and nose gear doors, replacement of the propeller and removal and reinstallation of the engine. The engine was performed coincident wiht the repairs. The engine repair station that the engine was dissembled and inspected for a prop strike in accordance with applicable Textron Lycoming service bulletins. No damage from the prop strike was found. Although the engine was received as an assembly with the engine mount and baffing not installed. A witness reported the aircraft's engine sounded normal during takeoff on runway 28 (3,600 feet long, 60 feet wide), and he observed the landing gear retract during initial climbout. He then observed the landing gear extend again and it appeared to the witness that the pilot was attempting to reverse course to land on the departure runway. During the turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a vineyard. The pilot reported his recollection that soon after takeoof, while passing the end of the runway, the engine started losing power ("running rough"). He stated a left turn, intending to land downwind on runway 10 using the partial engine power available. During the turn the engine stopped completely and because of low airspeed and atitude, the pilot was unable to glide the aircraft to the runway. An inspector from the FAA sacramento FSDO examined the engine and reported that the spark plugs were clean and light gray color and the oil and oil filter were clean. There was clean fuel in lines and fuel tanks. When the fuel lines were examined it was found that there was a losse b-nut on the line from the fuel control servo where it attaches to the fuel divider on top of the engine. When the electric fuel pump was turned on fule sprayed from the loose nut. The inspector reproted that the b-nut required about one turn in the tightening direction to reach the snug position. No other discrepancies were noted.