CEN10LA571

A witness observed the airplane between 50 and 100 feet above ground level during its initial climb after takeoff when it sounded like the engine lost power. He subsequently saw the propeller stop turning. It appeared to him that the pilot attempted to land on the runway; however, the airplane ultimately impacted a bean field about 150 feet north of the runway. The pilot informed local authorities who responded to the accident that the engine lost power during takeoff. The pilot was transported from the scene with serious injuries. He remained hospitalized and subsequently died 39 days later. The pilot's death was attributed to the consequences of trauma as a result of the accident. However, NTSB regulations define a fatal injury as one which results in death within 30 days of the accident. A postaccident examination of the aircraft, including a detailed examination of the engine, airframe, and fuel system, was unable to identify a reason for the loss of power.

On September 17, 2010, about 1517 eastern daylight time, a CA Tecnam SRL P2004 Bravo light sport airplane, N508LM, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The loss of engine power occurred on initial climb out after takeoff from runway 28 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Mason Jewett Field (TEW), Mason, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured. He remained hospitalized and subsequently died on October 26, 2010. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. After the accident, the pilot informed local authorities who responded to the scene that the engine lost power during takeoff. A witness reported that he observed the airplane between 50 to 100 feet above ground level, when it sounded like the engine lost power. He subsequently saw the propeller stop turning. It appeared to him that the pilot attempted to land on the runway; however, it ultimately impacted a bean field about 150 feet north of the runway. A postaccident examination of the aircraft, including a detailed examination of the engine, did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. A fuel sample was checked for water and ethanol content with no discrepancies noted. The pilot, age 76, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and glider ratings. He was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on April 18, 2008, with a limitation for corrective lenses. According to his logbook, the pilot had accumulated about 1,493 hours total flight time, with approximately 41 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. According to a logbook endorsement, the pilot's most recent flight review was satisfactorily completed on March 3, 2009. The pilot's death was attributed to the consequences of trauma as a result of the accident. However, NTSB regulations (49 CFR Part 830) define a fatal injury as one which results in death within 30 days of the accident. The accident airplane was issued a Federal Aviation Administration Light Sport Airplane Airworthiness Certificate on April 12, 2007. The accident pilot purchased the airplane on May 14, 2010. According to maintenance records, the most recent annual inspection was completed on January 26, 2010. The last entry was dated August 30, 2010, and referenced the replacement of the main landing gear bolts. This entry noted a total airframe time of 155 hours. The airplane had accumulated about 162 hours at the time of the accident.