NTSB Reports

The pilot reported that he and his co-owner had flown the airplane the night before the accident; it flew normally without problems. On the morning of the accident, he had to use the low-pressure boost pump to start the engine, but the pre-takeoff run-up was normal. The airplane ised most of the 4201-foot-long runway before becoming airborne. On reaching about 500 feet agl, the pilot determined the engine was not producing full power. He turned on the low-pressure boost pump and climbed to 1000 feet agl before turning back to the airport. The engine continued losing power, so he conducted a forced landing to a cornfield. A witness reported observing dark exhaust trailing the airplane during the takeoff.

Key Takeaways:

• Many incidents involved engine power loss, frequently attributed to fuel system issues (e.g., leaks, exhaustion) or mechanical problems, necessitating forced landings.
• Several fatal accidents occurred due to loss of control, aggressive maneuvering leading to in-flight breakups, or botched landing attempts.
• Pilot-related factors, such as distraction, invalid certifications, or difficulties managing aircraft controls (e.g., a slipping seat), contributed to multiple accidents.
• Runway safety was compromised by factors like challenging runway conditions, and in one case, a mid-air collision resulted from communication frequency discrepancies.

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