DEN08LA009

The engine lost power shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a power pole and terrain, shearing off both wings. A mechanic later reported finding the engine's internal starter-generator had failed, causing the engine to lose power.

On October 10, 2007, approximately 1810 central daylight time, a Jackson Pientenpol, N4400N, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck a power pole during a forced landing after the engine lost power shortly after takeoff from Chanute, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The owner purchased the airplane on ebay but never bothered to have it registered. The previous owner dais he sold ther airplane to the current owner in an unairworthy condition. The new owner asked the pilot to make a "functional flight check" and the pilot agreed to do so. FAA said the pilot did not check the airplane's registration, airworthiness certificate, or maintenance records prior to the flight.

According to an FAA inspector who went to the accident scene, the airplane's previous owner sold the airplane on ebay in an unairworthy condition. The new owner never bothered to register the airplane. The new owner asked the pilot to make a "functional flight check" of the airplane, and the pilot agreed to do so. FAA said the pilot did not check the airplane's registration, airworthiness certificate, or maintenance records prior to the flight.

According to the pilot, the engine lost power shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a power pole and terrain, shearing off both wings. The FAA inspector checked for fuel contamination and abnormal spark plug burn patterns. The fuel was free of contaminants and the spark plugs appeared normal.

An FAA inspector later interviewed the pilot's mechanic. The mechanic stated that his disassembly and examination of the engine revealed that the internal starter-generator had failed, causing the engine to lose power.