CUMBERLAND IS., GA, USA
N1975Y
MOONEY M20D
AT ABOUT 60-70 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF, THE ENGINE RPM DECREASED. HARDWOOD TREES BOUNDED THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE THRESHOLD & THE PILOT ELECTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE STALLED, DRAGGED THE RIGHT WING TIP, & COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT & THAT THE CYLINDER SPARK PLUG HOLE WAS FITTED WITH A HELICOIL.
THE LOSS OF THE SPARK PLUG AT A CRITICAL POINT IN FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED FROM THE INADEQUATE OVERHAUL OF THE ENGINE BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON; AND THE INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) WHICH BOUNDED THE RUNWAY DEPARTURE THRESHOLD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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