MIA97LA225

The student pilot was on initial takeoff climb at about 200 feet when the their was a reduction in engine power. The CFI took over the flight control, lowered the nose looking for a forced landing area. The airplane collided with furniture storage building, nosed over inverted, and a postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the airframe and flight control system revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. Examination of the fuel system revealed a 6 inch fuel hose that runs between the carburetor and the sediment bowl was about 50 percent obstructed at both ends.

On August 2, 1997, about 1210 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N3517J, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a reduction in takeoff power on initial takeoff climb, and crashed during a landing in the vicinity of Columbia, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and a postcrash fire ensued. The commercial pilot (certified flight instructor) and student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The flight instructor stated the student pilot made the takeoff from runway 31. Between 150 to 200 feet there was a reduction in engine power. He immediately checked the throttle full on, mixture full rich and carburetor heat off. About 3 seconds later he heard a sound similar to an engine backfire. He took over the flight controls, lowered the nose and looked for a forced landing area. He observed wires to the left and right and to his front. He lowered the nose, and went below the wires. The nose wheel collided with a furniture storage building, and the airplane nosed over inverted. He and the student pilot exited the airplane unassisted and a postcrash fire ensued.

Examination of the airframe and flight controls revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. The engine was mounted to the front of an aircraft tug. Fuel was added to the carburetor and power was applied to the engine starter motor. The engine rotated and began to run. Examination of the fuel system by the FAA revealed a 6-inch fuel hose that runs between the carburetor and the sediment bowl was about 50 percent obstructed at both ends. "The hose appeared to have been fabricated without the benefit of proper tools."