Overview
An aircraft experienced a loss of power shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing in a pasture near Gum Spring Airport in Virginia. The aircraft came to rest inverted after the nosewheel sank in muddy terrain.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed from Gum Spring Airport. After climbing to approximately 150 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot applied carburetor heat and initiated a turn back toward the airport. However, the aircraft could not reach the runway and executed an emergency landing in a short pasture, coming to rest approximately 100 yards short of the runway. During the landing, the nosewheel sank into mud, causing the aircraft to flip over and come to rest inverted.
Investigation Findings
Investigation revealed that approximately 10 to 12 inches of rain had fallen in the area during the two days prior to the accident, saturating the ground. After the accident, two cups of fuel were drained from the aircraft, and analysis showed that approximately 75 percent of the fuel's content was water.