CHI99LA255

During the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and made a turn of approximately 45-degrees to the east. The pilot reported that he made a '...hard landing off the runway on [the] airport property that was a level field.' During an examination of the wreckage, no anomalies were found with the airframe or the control systems. The engine started-up and ran without any anomalous behavior. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector's statement, the engine had experienced a cold seizure due to the engine not being properly warmed-up prior to the takeoff run. According to the pilot's written statement, he also attributed the loss of engine power to a cold seizure of the engine.

On July 10, 1999, at 1800 central daylight time, a Buss Avid Flyer Mark IV, N392SB, piloted by a recreational pilot, received substantial damage during a hard landing following a loss of engine power during initial climb from runway 02 (2,270 feet by 165 feet, dry/turf) at the Northport Airport, Royalton, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The single passenger reported minor injuries. The flight was departing Northport Airport at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of a private airstrip near Eland, Wisconsin.

According to the pilot's written statement, during the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and made a turn of approximately 45-degrees to the east. The pilot reported that he made a "...hard landing off the runway on [the] airport property that was a level field."

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors represented the National Transportation Safety Board for the on-site portion of the investigation. During the FAA inspection of the wreckage, no anomalies were found with the airframe and it control systems. A FAA maintenance inspector started-up and ran the accident engine and noticed no anomalous behavior. According to the FAA maintenance inspector's statement, the engine had experienced a cold seizure due to the engine not being properly warmed-up prior to the takeoff run. According to the pilot's written statement, he also attributed the loss of engine power to a cold seizure of the engine.