What happened
During the initial climb out phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power approximately 50 feet above the ground. The engine quit without warning, leaving the pilot with minimal altitude to react. Unable to maintain controlled flight, the aircraft descended rapidly and impacted a row of trees in the immediate vicinity of the departure area.
Despite the violent impact with the vegetation, the pilot emerged from the wreckage unharmed. There were no other injuries reported among passengers or on the ground. The aircraft sustained significant damage consistent with a high-speed collision with dense foliage.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft engine was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. Mechanics inspected the internal components and found no evidence of mechanical failure, malfunction, or pre-existing defects that would explain the sudden shutdown.
Attention then turned to the fuel system. Inspections revealed the presence of water contamination in both the main fuel tanks and the associated fuel lines. This foreign substance was identified as the primary anomaly within the propulsion system.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the engine failure was not caused by a mechanical defect but rather by external contamination. The presence of water in the fuel supply disrupted combustion, leading to an immediate loss of thrust during a critical phase of flight where recovery options are severely limited.