CHI98LA294

The pilot reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a 'rapid descent' into a line of trees at the north end of the runway. The right wing of the airplane contacted a large cedar tree at a height of about 15 to 18 feet above the ground. Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any reason for the loss of power.

On August 1, 1998, at 1915 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-20, N127X, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Brady-Pippin Airstrip (private, 2,000' sod) in Andover, Kansas. The pilot reported a loss of engine power on takeoff. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Two remaining passengers received minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was departing at the time of takeoff.

The pilot reported that everything appeared normal during the aircraft preflight, engine run-up, taxi, and initial takeoff. He reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a "rapid descent" into a line of trees at the north end of the runway. According to the Butler County Sheriff's Office, the right wing of the airplane contacted a large cedar tree at a height of about 15 to 18 feet above the ground. Their report states, "This caused the plane to spin or turn toward the east throwing it down onto the highway onto the left side of the plane crashing the wing and left side of the plane onto the roadway." The airplane came to rest on SW70th on a easterly heading.

The airplane was examined by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita, Kansas, Flight Standards District Office. Their inspection of the engine failed to reveal any reason for the loss of power.