Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420
Wednesday, July 7, 1999 16:00 PDT

The pilot reported that after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 600 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine suddenly stopped. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and the pilot attempted a forced landing onto a road. As the aircraft approached the road at about 300 feet AGL, a car turned onto the road. It became apparent to the pilot that the aircraft would overtake and hit the car from the rear if he attempted to land on the road, and the pilot thus attempted to turn the airplane to go up a driveway off the road. The airplane subsequently struck fence posts during the forced landing. FAA inspectors who performed a post-accident examination of the aircraft's engine found a 2 1/2 inch diameter soft blue ball, wrapped in Scotch tape and with a flag of red plastic tape attached, lodged in the carburetor air inlet. The inspectors reported that the aircraft owner identified the ball as an improvised engine air inlet cover, which he had placed into the engine air inlet to prevent foreign objects from entering the inlet during ground storage of the aircraft. The FAA inspectors reported finding no other evidence of pre-impact engine mechanical malfunction.

Inadequate aircraft preflight inspection (engine air inlet cover not removed) by the pilot, resulting in obstruction of the carburetor air inlet in flight and consequent inflight engine stoppage. Factors contributing to the accident included a vehicle entering the attempted forced landing surface, and fence posts in the forced landing area.