ATL94LA052

The pilot reported that at about 500 feet MSL during the initial climb, the engine lost power. He started a left turn back toward the airport. After clearing some trees, the aircraft was force landed in a grassy area. An inspection of the aircraft revealed a piece of silicon baffling material, 8 inches by one inch, lodged inside the carburetor airbox, with 2 inches of this material extending into the carburetor venturi. When the material was removed, the engine ran normally during a test run. The origin of the foreign material could not be determined, and maintenance records did not reveal any recent work which would require such a material.

On February 21, 1994, at 1337 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6253P, was force landed after a reported engine power loss in Kinston, North Carolina. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Manchester, New Hampshire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported the following: At about 500 feet mean sea level on the initial climb following takeoff, the engine sputtered and lost power. He made a turn toward the airfield, and left the gear up for as long as possible to reduce drag. After the aircraft cleared some trees, the landing gear handle was lowered, however the gear did not have time to extend prior to touchdown. The aircraft landed in a grassy area on the airfield. The aircraft slid across the grass, then across a taxiway before coming to rest in a grassy area.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the aircraft following the accident. He reported that there was a piece of silicon baffling material, approximately 8 inches long and one inch wide, lodged inside the carburetor airbox, with about 2 inches of it extending into the carburetor venturi. The origin of the silicon material could not be determined, and maintenance records did not reveal any recent work which would require such a material to be used. The engine was then prepared for a test run. The engine started normally and sustained rpm and normal cylinder head temperature. This was attempted several times, and each time the engine started normally.