What happened
The aircraft experienced a forced landing immediately following takeoff, resulting in a nose-over incident. According to witness accounts, the aircraft had been stored outdoors and remained unflying for a period of six months prior to this event. The pilot did not perform any maintenance or inspection procedures before flight, choosing only to add 10 gallons of fuel to the tanks.
During the initial climb, the engine ceased operation when the aircraft was approximately 100 feet above ground level. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector later examined the wreckage and discovered significant water contamination within both the fuel tanks and the associated fuel system components. Additionally, it was determined that the aircraft was not current on its required annual inspection at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the actions taken by the pilot prior to flight. Key findings included:
- Water contamination found in the fuel tanks and system
- Aircraft was out of date on its annual inspection
- Pilot did not obtain a required ferry permit for the unairworthy aircraft
- Lack of pre-flight maintenance despite six months of outdoor storage
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were water contamination in the fuel system and inadequate pre-flight procedures. The pilot's failure to inspect the aircraft after prolonged outdoor storage, combined with the absence of a ferry permit for an unairworthy plane, directly led to the engine failure and subsequent crash.