ANC21LA096

The accident flight was the first flight after the airplane’s annual inspection. The pilots completed a “thorough” preflight inspection, and an engine run-up revealed no anomalies. Just after the airplane became airborne during takeoff, the engine lost power, regained power momentarily, and then lost power again. Insufficient runway remained on which to land, and the airplane impacted an area of tree- and brush-covered terrain off the end of the runway and nosed over. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of power could not be determined based on the available information.

On September 22, 2021, about 1926 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-14 airplane, N4276H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chickaloon, Alaska. The commercial pilot seated in the left seat sustained minor injuries, and the commercial pilot in the right seat was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the left-seat pilot, the accident flight was the first flight after the airplane’s annual inspection. The left-seat pilot was flying at the time of the accident; the right-seat pilot was the pilot-in-command. Before departure, the pilots completed a “thorough” preflight inspection, and an engine run-up revealed no anomalies. The takeoff was uneventful until immediately after lifting off, when the engine lost power, regained power momentarily, and then lost power again. Insufficient runway remained on which to land, and the airplane impacted an area of tree- and brush-covered terrain off and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, wing struts, and rudder. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of engine power. Weather conditions were conducive to the development of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power.