-------------- Original message from "Steve Brooks" <prvt_pilot@yahoo.com>: --------------


> I went to South Carolina Thursday to replace the fuel regulator, and do some
> flying. I replaced the regulator, and ran the engine some on Thursday, but
> no flying because it was getting dark.
>
> On Saturday, I went to fly, and had some trouble getting it to stay running
> due to the cold temperatures. I probably didn't keep it rich enough, long
> enough. I taxied out to the far end of the runway (5000'), and took the
> runway for take off.
>
> As I accelerated to about 90 kts, I was just rotating when to power dropped
> substantially. I cut the throttle, and aborted the takeoff.
>
> I don't know exactly what caused the sag. I pulled the throttle all the way
> back during the aborted takeoff, and the engine died. I have my idle stop
> set a little low (400 RPM's), and usually don't pull it all the way off, but
> even when I do, it has never died.
>
> I restarted it, and ran the power up to about 4000, and it seemed OK.
>
> Another issue with my right main wheel bearing prevented me from making any
> more high speed runs. The right wheel has been making noise, and I was
> trying to resolve it with the mfg, but during the aborted take off, it
> really made allot of noise, and also vibrated pretty good at one speed, so I
> decided that I better get that fixed before doing any more flying.
>
> I changed the fuel regulator, so I guess that it could have been some air
> still in the fuel line, but the engine had probably run for at least 10
> minutes prior to the take off roll. It also could have been some water,
> though I've never found any to date during preflight. The engine was
> running at 5 lbs of boost and about 5000 RPM's. It was about 45 degrees,
> and the plane was accelerating very strong prior to the power loss. I don't
> know if it would have picked back up, but I was glad that it didn't happen 5
> seconds later.
>
> Steve Brooks
>
>
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