What happened
The pilot took off and began climbing through an altitude of approximately 100 to 300 feet when the engine suddenly lost power. With no option to return to the airport, the pilot initiated a forced landing. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a fence and a berm before crossing over railroad tracks. The plane eventually came to rest upside down in a ditch.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the cause of the engine failure. Inspectors found significant corrosion inside the fuel strainer. To further analyze the contamination, samples were drained from the fuel lines. Approximately one and a half cups of water were removed from the right fuel tank line, while about one-eighth of a cup of water was drained from the left fuel tank line.
Findings
The aircraft involved was Cessna 172 with registration N98SW. The engine had recently been rebuilt and installed, marking this as the first flight since that maintenance work. The presence of substantial water in the fuel system indicates fuel contamination as the primary factor leading to the loss of power during the critical climb phase.
Safety message
Regular inspection and draining of fuel sumps are critical, especially after engine maintenance or when an aircraft has been stored. Water accumulation in fuel tanks can lead to severe engine performance issues or complete failure.