I was trying to put the 5th flight on my Sig SE today when the engine died out after I was about 30 feet in the air, shortly after the end of the runway. There are some tall trees at the end of the runway, and down she started to go, behind them.

I think I was able to keep my head, knowing it was too slow to turn around and come back, so I tried to level things out and pray for the best. We found it sitting pretty on a dirt road that circles our field, amazingly only had a small scratch on the wing tip, and the landing gear was a bit bent. I have a Yoda in the cockpit, so all I can imagine is that the force was with me. I know I am extremely lucky.

The beginner question is, I assume I missed something in my flight check: there probably should have been something I "could have, would have, wished had" done prior. This engine has been running great with no problems. The engine has almost a gallon through it and has been otherwise running flawlessly.

What did I miss?

Tom

You might check your clunk position, make sure it's not stuck up front in the tank. It can happen and has happened to me . Slight nose up as on take off and the engine doesn't get the fuel.

Also when you start your engine, before you taxi out to the runway hold the plane verticle with the nose up at full throttle. Then you will know that the plane isn't too lean, the clunk is in the correct position, and you can expect a trouble free flight.

Tom:

Is that the same plug used for the gallon of fuel ?
Sounds like it's time for another A3 plug.Even though the old plug
will glow when tested, but will not have the heat range of a new
one. If this is a new engine, always change the plug after break-
in to help against flameout.

Randy

thanks for the suggestions all.

I don't think it was the clunk as I had just redid the fuel tank after previously having it cut out a blip when inverted, the clunk was too far back. When I replaced that line, I made sure the brass tube inside the tank was fairly long to help prevent the clunk going forward. I feel pretty good it is in good shape now after reviewing several posts here.

I suspect one of two things: when originally tuned, it was very very hot/humid here. It was probably a bit lean now that it is less hot and less humid (100 degrees 70 degree dew point then vs 80 degrees 40 degree dew point now).

And probably the plug. Plugs seem to be funny, last thing to check as the cause of problem, but in many cases, it's the root of the problem.

I'll do the vertical test as part of normal pre-flight. Does pinching the line at full throttle basically test the same thing (it's easier/safer to do)?

And I'll change the plug.


Tom