What happened
During the initial climb phase following takeoff, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to maintain control and directed the aircraft toward the remaining usable portion of the runway. Despite efforts to manage the descent, the landing was executed with excessive vertical speed, resulting in a hard impact with the pavement. This forceful contact caused the nose landing gear to collapse upon touchdown.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed significant discrepancies regarding its maintenance and fueling history. Records indicated that the aircraft had not been flown for seven months prior to this incident. Inspection of the fuel system showed that it contained a mixture of old automotive gasoline and a small amount of aviation fuel. Specifically, five gallons of aviation fuel had been added to eight gallons of automotive fuel. The automotive fuel had deteriorated over time, leaving behind sediments that likely obstructed fuel flow or damaged the engine components.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the use of contaminated fuel. The long period of inactivity allowed the automotive gasoline to degrade, creating sediment that compromised engine performance. The improper mixing of fuel types further exacerbated the situation, leading to an in-flight power failure. The subsequent hard landing was a direct consequence of the pilot's inability to maintain safe flight parameters due to the mechanical failure.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that only appropriate aviation-grade fuel is used and that aircraft are properly maintained during periods of inactivity. Storing automotive fuel in aircraft systems can lead to dangerous deterioration and engine failure.