What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Pilot failed to correctly insert spark plug and torque after performing preventative maintenance prior to initial test flight. Spark plug fell out on aircraft climbout immediately after departure, and engine subsequently quit causing immediate descent. Aircraft crashed into tall pine tree tops.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT FAILED TO CORRECTLY INSERT SPARK PLUG AND TORQUE AFTER PERFORMING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO INITIAL TEST FLIGHT. SPARK PLUG FELL OUT ON AIRCRAFT CLIMBOUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTURE, AND ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY QUIT CAUSING IMMEDIATE DESCENT. AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TALL PINE TREE TOPS.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.