What happened
The aircraft had been parked at the Genesee County Airport since the fall of 1981. The accident flight was the first the aircraft had flown since that period. As the aircraft cleared the end of the runway and attained an altitude of approximately 300 feet, a complete loss of power occurred. The pilot was unable to extend the glide back to the airport and landed in an open field.
The investigation
Examination of the fuel system revealed water and other contaminants in the system. Although tests were conducted that concluded the fuel did not meet the specifications of aviation grade fuel, testing did not include a determination of the specific type or grade of fuel and/or possible mixture of fuels.
Findings
The primary finding was the presence of water and other contaminants in the fuel system. The investigation also found that the fuel used did not meet the specifications for aviation grade fuel. However, the specific type or grade of fuel and any possible mixture of fuels could not be determined through testing.