On November 23, 1985, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N7424Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Holland, MI. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed during a forced landing following a loss of power during initial climb. Post-accident disassembly revealed ice in the carburetor float chamber and main fuel strainer. The fuel, sourced from the owner's pickup truck, was later found to contain water.
Event
The aircraft crashed during a forced landing after experiencing a loss of power during the initial climb.
Pilot's Actions
Prior to takeoff, the pilot reported draining fuel from the main fuel strainer and found no water in the fuel.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the carburetor was disassembled. The float chamber was found to be full of ice. Additionally, the main fuel strainer was also found to be full of ice.
Fuel Source
The fuel used in the aircraft came from the owner's pickup truck and was not checked for water before use. After the accident, the fuel source was checked and water was found in it.