What happened
The accident occurred during the initial climb phase of flight following takeoff from an unimproved farm strip. Shortly after lift-off, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. The pilot attempted to maintain control and landed the aircraft straight ahead on the remaining available surface. During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered a low-lying area that was wet, causing the nose gear to collapse and the aircraft to nosed over.
The investigation
A post-acc examination of the engine revealed significant evidence of fuel contamination. Inspectors found approximately one cup of water accumulated in the carburetor bowl. This finding indicates that water had entered the fuel system prior to the flight, likely due to improper fuel management or storage conditions at the departure location.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the presence of water in the fuel system. The accumulation of water in the carburetor bowl disrupted the fuel flow necessary for engine operation, leading to an immediate loss of power during a critical phase of flight. The inability to recover altitude or reach a suitable landing area resulted in the subsequent nosed-over condition upon touchdown.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that fuel is free of water contamination before every flight. Regularly draining fuel sumps and using only clean, approved fuel sources are essential practices to prevent engine failure due to moisture ingress.