Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a ferry flight prior to the commencement of spraying operations. The pilot reported that the take-off proceeded normally until immediately after lift off. At that point, the engine lost power and the aircraft was landed about 50 metres beyond the end of the runway. The aircraft passed through a wire fence and then collided with an earth bank which separated the tailplane from the fuselage with the remainder of the aircraft wreckage coming to a halt about 50 metres beyond the bank. Examination of the engine revealed low compression in two cylinders. One as a result of a cracked cylinder head the other from the alignment of the piston ring gaps. Neither defect was assessed as capable of causing a substantial loss of power during take-off. The reason for the substantial power loss was not determined.
