Amateur-built VANS RV-4 N74RV accident near Collinsville, Oklahoma

Probable cause

A loss of engine power shortly after takeoff for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to make a 180-degree turn at low level.

NTSB analysis

Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was approximately 150 feet off the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot elected to make a 180-degree turn back to the airstrip to conduct the forced landing. During the turn, the airplane’s wing and nosed dropped and the airplane impacted terrain in a nearby pasture. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of airplane’s cabin/cockpit and the engine area sustained heat damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine failed to identify a reason for the loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA276 for the full record.