May 21 2010, Bakersfield, Calif., Luscombe S-LSA-8C


At about 1615 Pacific time, the airplane lost engine power during takeoff and crashed in a field. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and tail section. Visual conditions prevailed.

The accident airplane had made a safe precautionary landing in a field after a malfunction of the fuel tank selector valve. The pilot made an adjustment to the airplane and had decided to reposition it to a nearby airport. Witnesses observed the accident airplanes engine start up and then stop. The engine restarted and they watched as the airplane took off and almost immediately lost power. The airplane was then observed turning back towards the departure point and appeared to “stall and came straight down.”


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