Accident Overview
An aircraft departed from a road adjacent to the pilot's residence. Witnesses observed the aircraft maneuver around a pickup truck parked along the road before lifting off. After becoming airborne, the aircraft climbed, executed a brief right turn, then leveled its wings. Subsequently, it entered a right descending turn and impacted the ground.
Examination Findings
Post-accident inspection of the right propeller revealed only a few light nicks on the leading edges of the blades. The right engine fuel selector handle and valve were found in an intermediate position between the main and auxiliary tank settings, partially exposing the auxiliary tank fuel line. A small amount of fuel was present in the right wing main tank. The right wing auxiliary tank contained approximately 30 gallons of water, with a small amount of fuel floating on the water's surface.
Fuel System Issues
The position of the fuel selector, between the main and auxiliary tank, indicates the possibility of fuel starvation or contamination. The presence of water in the auxiliary tank suggests that fuel drawn from that source could have been contaminated, potentially affecting engine performance.
Conclusion
The investigation documented the sequence of events and the fuel system irregularities but did not assign a specific probable cause to the accident.