CEN20LA343

The pilot landed to the south, taxied to the end of the runway, and took off to the north from his private grass airstrip. During the takeoff, the engine lost then regained power shortly after the airplane became airborne. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff due to the remaining runway available. While maneuvering toward an open field and away from obstacles, the airplane struck a 4-foot-high steel fence post. The airplane spun, traveled about 150 feet and came to rest. A postimpact fire ensued as both occupants exited with minor injuries. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. Due to the severe postimpact fire, engine drive continuity could not be confirmed, but engine control continuity was confirmed. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power. Since the pilot had taxied at a low power setting prior to taking off and reported that the airplane lost then regained engine power, the momentary loss of engine power was most likely due to carburetor icing.

On August 15, 2020, about 1307 central daylight time, a Piper PA18, N2510H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Brandon, Minnesota. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he had landed to the south and turned around to take off to the north from his private grass runway. He reported that the engine lost power shortly after the airplane became airborne. He contemplated landing on the remaining runway as he thought that the engine regained power. Due to the length of runway, he elected to continue the takeoff, but because of the obstacles at the departure end of the runway, he turned the airplane toward a wheat field. While maneuvering toward the field, the landing gear struck a 4-foot-high steel post attached to a fence in the field. The airplane came to rest upright in the field. After the occupants exited, a postcrash fire consumed the airplane. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck the steel post about 4-ft above the ground. The airplane came to rest about 150 ft from the impact with the post. Evidence at the site showed that the airplane rotated about 90° to the right before it struck the ground. Although a postimpact fire consumed most of the airplane, all flight control continuities were confirmed. Engine control continuity was established. Due to the extensive fire damage, the engine could not be rotated, and a detailed examination was not possible. According to the carburetor icing probability chart in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, with a temperature of 18ºC and a dew point of 2ºC (+16 dew point depression), the airplane was operating within the range of serious icing in glide power.