Accident Piper PA-20 N127X, Saturday 1 August 1998

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Date:	Saturday 1 August 1998
Time:	20:15 LT
Type:	Piper PA-20
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N127X
MSN:	20-860
Total airframe hrs:	2850 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-290
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Andover, KS - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	(KS20)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a 'rapid descent' into a line of trees at the north end of the runway. The right wing of the airplane contacted a large cedar tree at a height of about 15 to 18 feet above the ground. Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any reason for the loss of power.

Probable Cause: a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident were the trees which the airplane contacted and the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred.

Accident investigation: