PIPER PA-46-500TP, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., JAN. 19, 2004–At 1:34 p.m. Piper Meridian N1968W, operated by a private pilot, made a gear-up forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from 3,599-foot Runway 28R at Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) in Minneapolis. The pilot was not injured, but the airplane was substantially damaged. The Part 91 personal flight was operating on an IFR flight plan in VMC.
The pilot stated that he had just achieved a positive rate of climb and raised the landing gear when the engine shuddered and lost power at 30 to 50 feet above the runway. He pulled the power back to idle and landed on the remaining runway. The airplane slid off the end of the runway and across a taxiway before coming to rest. The reason for the loss of engine power is under investigation.