NTSB Factual Report

On November 18, 2001, about 2320 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N85TT, registered to, and operated by Practical Quality Services Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed during takeoff/initial climb from Deland Municipal Airport, Deland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight as originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he was departing on runway 5, and was at an altitude of about 200 feet when the engine suddenly ceased operating for a short period of time. The pilot further stated that the engine suddenly restarted automatically, and then ceased operating again for a second time. He said the engine did not "spit or sputter", but that both times it ceased operating it was sudden and complete. He further stated that after the engine ceased operating the aircraft was descending, and at the altitude he was at, he only had time to check and verify that the throttles and mixture controls were full forward, and could do nothing else in the way of emergency procedures. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area, about 800 yards east of the airport, incurring substantial damage.

An FAA licensed mechanic, with inspection authorization, conducted a detailed postaccident examination, and also tested the accident aircraft engine on a test cell, and no anomalies were noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb due to undetermined reasons.