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RV-8 engine failure on takeoff

Not much additional info, but here is the link to the NTSB's Factual Report. The engine is listed as a Lycoming IO-360 in the report.

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101632/pdf

Factual Information

On July 17, 2020, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built RV-8 airplane, N508CM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grimes, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane at a friend’s private airstrip and taxied back to take off again. During the takeoff roll, the engine lost power and he aborted the takeoff. Later that day, the engine was examined by a mechanic, who was unable to find any anomalies. After the mechanic cleared the airplane for flight, the pilot taxied to the runway, performed two run-up checks, and then proceeded to take off. About 50 to 70 ft above ground level, the engine again lost partial power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a corn field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

The airplane wreckage was sold before an examination could be scheduled; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
STATUS: In Work.
 
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Tough situation, ask 10 different pilots how they would have handled that and you'd probably end up with 10 different answers.

Glad he was able to put it down safely. It belongs to the insurance company at that point.
 
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