What happened
The aircraft involved in this incident had previously been submerged in water. Following salvage operations and repairs, a ferry permit was secured to transport the plane to Amarillo, Texas. During the takeoff roll, a witness observed that the engine began running rough shortly after the first 50 feet of ground movement. Despite this irregularity, the pilot continued the takeoff sequence, utilizing approximately 3000 feet of runway to achieve lift-off.
Once airborne, the pilot executed a turn and flew back over the airport at an altitude of roughly 500 feet. The engine continued to run rough during this pass. The pilot circled the area again, maintaining the same flight path with the engine still operating poorly. Afterward, the aircraft departed the traffic pattern, appearing to proceed toward the intended destination in Amarillo. Shortly after leaving the immediate airport vicinity, the engine lost power completely. The aircraft sustained damage during the subsequent forced landing.
The investigation
Post-incident inquiries focused on the mechanical condition of the engine and the circumstances surrounding its operation. The pilot provided a statement regarding the cause of the power loss. He acknowledged that the engine failure was due to fuel contamination. Specifically, the pilot admitted that he had used alcohol in an engine designed for fuel injection, a procedure that is incompatible with such systems.
Findings
The investigation confirmed that the use of alcohol in a fuel-injected engine led to fuel contamination, which caused the engine to lose power. This mechanical failure occurred during the ferry flight phase, resulting in the aircraft being damaged during an emergency landing.