N123TGGutmann Thomas D TOMMYS TOY · 1991

The pilot stated that on his second flight in the airplane, he completed some basic maneuvers without incident and returned to the airport. Shortly after, he and a passenger boarded for a local flight. The pilot completed an engine run up with no anomalies noted, and then departed from the grass runway. About 70 ft above ground level he felt a vibration and was unable to maintain altitude. The engine RPM and oil pressure decreased as the airspeed slowed. The airplane collided with trees and then impacted the ground. The pilot and passenger egressed without incident, then the airplane burst into flames.

The passenger recorded a video of the entire accident flight. The video revealed that during the initial climb, the engine RPM and sound appeared to gradually decrease. The airplane did not continue to climb, and the engine RPM continued to decrease. The airplane collided with a tree and then impacted the ground.

A postaccident photo from the pilot showed the airplane was mostly consumed by the fire.

The pilot provided a summary of his postaccident engine examination, which revealed that the oil supply line to the propeller speed reduction unit was completely clogged with an unknown gray material. Also, the gear reduction drive was seized, lacked oil, and the bearings were covered in a dry, rusty powder.

It is likely that the loss of engine power was due to oil starvation of the propeller speed reduction unit.