ATL94LA063

The mechanic had completed the installation of a rebuilt engine, and he and the pilot were conducting a maintenance test flight. According to the pilot, before starting the takeoff roll, he held the brakes, advanced the throttle, and held that position for about ten seconds. As the airplane climbed through 400 feet AGL, the pilot noticed a reduction in engine power. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and turned on the boost pump. As the engine regained power momentarily, the pilot continued the climb; seconds later the engine lost power again. The pilot attempted a forced landing on a paved road adjacent to the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose any aircraft problem and the engine assembly operated normally during the functional examination.

On March 15, 1994, at 1206 central standard time, a Cessna 210, N732HA, collided with the ground during a forced landing attempt 300 feet north of John C. Tune Airport, Nashville, Tennessee. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The maintenance test flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial structural damage; the pilot and mechanic received minor injuries. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt.

N732HA had undergone extensive maintenance that included the installation of a rebuilt engine. According to the pilot, before starting the takeoff roll, he held the brakes, advanced the throttle, and held that position for about ten seconds. The pilot further stated that the airplane accelerated normally, and gradually lost engine power as they climbed through 400 feet. At this point, the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and turned on the fuel boost pump (see attached Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report). The engine regained power momentarily, and the pilot continued the climb; seconds later the engine lost power again. Attempts by the pilot to restore full engine power failed, and during a forced landing to a paved road adjacent to the departure end of the runway, the airplane bounced on the road, and collided with the ground.

The examination of the airplane at the accident site failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the airplane or the engine installation. The functional examination of the engine assembly disclosed that the engine operated normally.