Incident Details
A flight was en route to Hatteras, North Carolina, when the engine began to run rough. After landing, the pilot arranged for an auto mechanic to remove the spark plugs. The lower spark plugs on the left side were found to be lead-fouled and were cleaned using a wire brush.
Departure and Power Loss
During the subsequent takeoff, shortly after lift-off, the engine lost partial power. The pilot initially intended to land on a beach straight ahead; however, a rain shower and reduced visibility in that direction led him to remain in the traffic pattern. The aircraft was unable to climb above 200 feet. While maneuvering to align with the runway, the pilot made a steep turn, during which altitude was lost. The aircraft subsequently crash-landed short of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the engine revealed lead build-ups on the spark plugs and low compression in cylinders #1 and #4. It was also determined that while at Hatteras, the aircraft had been serviced with auto fuel, but it did not have a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the use of auto gasoline.