20230303003449A

The onsite investigation revealed a 1966, single engine fixed-wing, departed the Calaveras airport (kcpu) on runway 31 at 13:30 pm PST on March 03, 2023. On initial climb out the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power at approximately 150 feet above the ground. The pilot-in-command initiated a right turn back towards the airport in an attempt to land the aircraft. There was insufficient altitude and glide distance for the aircraft to reach kcpu. The aircraft impacted the ground approximately 435 feet northwest of runway 13 destroying the aircraft. Witnesses report hearing the aircraft departing under full power then shortly after takeoff hearing the engine go completely quiet. The aircraft had two occupants on board. The pilot received sever injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft had flown form the lodi airport to Calaveras airport prior to this flight. This aircraft had been in maintenance and had substantial work done to the aircraft for an extended period of time, to include a carburetor replacement. There were no reported mechanical or engine irregularities from the flight from lodi airport to the Calaveras airport. On a previous date there were two maintenance test flights conducted that was terminated due to engine related problems.

Accident site: the aircraft touched down on an approximate heading of 060° sliding 110 feet and coming to rest on a heading of 100° magnetic. There were no impact marks from a rotating propeller. The debris field was small with minor pieces of plastic and metal. All major aircraft components remained intact and connected to the aircraft. The initial impact appears to have been made from right main landing gear and wing. The aircraft was mainly intact with the right main wing flipped onto its upper surface, but still connected by electrical wires and cables.

Fusalage: the fuselage was intact with skin creases and crinkling on right side behind the right wing and on the left side near the horizontal stabilizer

Wings: the right wing remained connected to the fuselage by electrical wires and cables. The right wind receive extensive damage to the leading edge and flight control surfaces. It had also flipped 180 degrees onto its upper surface with the right main landing gear sticking straight up. Continuity of flight controls were confirmed.

Cockpit: the front seat area was intact with the seats remaining connected to the seat rails. Seat belt harnesses remained intact and were being used at the time of the accident. Instrument panel was intact with aircraft hobbs meter reading 5511 hrs and engine RPM hobbs read 3915.87SURVIVABILITY: survivability was not compromised by the accident. There was no post-accident fire.

Propeller: the propeller was bent on one side due to impact with the ground but the other side was intact with little damage. There was no indication the propeller was rotating or under power when it contacted the ground. The propeller remained connected to the engine.

Fuel/fuel system: the fuel selector was positioned between the left and right fuel tanks, according to witnesses. The right fuel tank quantity could not be determined due to the right wing being flipped and the filler cap being under the wing. The actual fuel quantity in the left fuel tank could not be accuracy determined because the aircraft was leaning to the right resulting in the majority of fuel being inboard of the right fuel tank filler port

Engine: the engines could not be inspected on scene but later would be inspected by the NTSB. The engine remained attached to the engine fire wall. The engine mounts were bent but still attached.

Aircraft information: the airplane was in maintenance for an extended period of time prior to this flight. After aircraft maintenance there was two previous maintenance flights. Both of those flights were terminated due to engine roughness. The engine fuel system was worked on to include a new carburetor.