Small aircraft has engine failure after takeoff. Off airport landing.

Attributes
ACN	332190
Time
Date	199603
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : apv
State Reference	CA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 4500 msl bound upper : 4500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : takeoff climbout : initial
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 15 flight time total : 800 flight time type : 600
ASRS Report	332190
Person 2
Affiliation	Other
Function	other personnel
Qualification	other other : other
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : declared emergency other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

Engine stopped while at 1500 ft AGL shortly after takeoff from apple valley airport. I broadcast on 122.8 (unicom) that I had a mayday situation with a stopped engine and would try to return to the airport. I realized I would not make it safely and rebroadcast that I was landing in the dry lake bed north of apple valley city. Successful landing on lake bed. Connecting rod in engine failed which caused stoppage.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA HAS ENG FAILURE AFTER TKOF. OFF ARPT LNDG.

Narrative: ENG STOPPED WHILE AT 1500 FT AGL SHORTLY AFTER TKOF FROM APPLE VALLEY ARPT. I BROADCAST ON 122.8 (UNICOM) THAT I HAD A MAYDAY SIT WITH A STOPPED ENG AND WOULD TRY TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. I REALIZED I WOULD NOT MAKE IT SAFELY AND REBROADCAST THAT I WAS LNDG IN THE DRY LAKE BED N OF APPLE VALLEY CITY. SUCCESSFUL LNDG ON LAKE BED. CONNECTING ROD IN ENG FAILED WHICH CAUSED STOPPAGE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.