ERA22LA345

After an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot took off from the turf runway and was planning on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During the initial climb, about 50 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power and the propeller continued to windmill. The airplane’s low altitude prevented the pilot from troubleshooting except for switching fuel tanks and the application of carburetor heat, which both failed to restart the engine. The airplane touched down hard at the end of the runway, collapsing the gear and causing impact damage to the right wing and engine compartment. Weather at the time of the accident was conducive for the formation of carburetor ice at the glide power setting, but not at a high takeoff power setting. Additionally, the examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal engine operation. Therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On July 30, 2022, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N1358K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Hiserts Airpark, Inc. (3NY7), Ephratah, New York. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, he took off from runway 27, a 2,200 ft-long turf runway and was planning on staying in the airport traffic pattern. During initial climb, about 50 ft above ground level, the engine abruptly lost power and the propeller continued to windmill. His attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful and due to the low altitude, the pilot only had time to switch fuel tanks and apply carburetor heat, which did not restart the engine. The airplane touched down hard at the end of the runway before coming to rest. Examination of the wreckage confirmed it sustained substantial damage. The right wingtip was crushed, both landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage and engine compartment were impact damaged, which also destroyed the gascolator. There was adequate fuel on board and the fuel vents were free of obstructions. No mechanical engine anomalies were discovered during the examination. The original Continental engine (A-65-8) was replaced with an updated C85 model and installed on the airplane in 2015; it had been overhauled about 7 flight hours before the accident. Weather at the time of the accident was conducive for the formation of carburetor ice at the glide power setting, but not at a takeoff power setting. There were no preimpact mechanical anomalies observed that would have contributed to a loss of engine power.