NTSB Factual Report

On April 24, 2004 at 1410 eastern daylight time, an Alon A2, N5674F, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with trees following a loss of engine power during takeoff in Fort Pierce, Florida. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight departed Strazzula Groves Airstrip, Fort Pierce, Florida, at 1408 on April 24, 2004.

According to the pilot the airplane lost engine power shortly after takeoff. Efforts by the pilot to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot made a forced landing in an orange grove. During the forced landing the airplane collided with trees. According to the pilot there were 16 gallons of automotive fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the attempted takeoff. The last annual inspection was completed 20 hours before the accident flight on October 23, 2003.

Examination of the downed airplane revealed that the wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. The ribs of the right wing were bent, and the fuselage was buckled. Examination of the engine revealed that the engine had compression in all four cylinders and the magnetos sparked. Fuel was found in all three fuel tanks and inside the carburetor.

The fuel feed to the gascolator was attached and unclogged. Further examination of the gascolator assembly revealed that the lower gasket on the glass gascolator bowl was not aligned with the bowl. The examination also disclosed that the glass gascolator bowl was dry and cracked.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from a crack in the gascolator bowl.