Incident Overview
An airplane that had been inactive for more than seven months and did not have a current annual inspection was involved in a crash sequence that began with engine roughness. Witnesses reported that the pilot ran the engine, which ran roughly, then washed the aircraft, refueled, drained the sumps, and ran the engine again at the end of the runway.
Airport Manager's Observations
The airport manager stated that he believed the pilot intended only a high-speed taxi because the engine was performing so poorly.
Takeoff and Collision
The aircraft lifted off but failed to climb. It subsequently struck a tree, a high-voltage power line, the terrain, and the porch of a house, after which it started burning.
Engine and Fuel System Findings
Examination revealed that some spark plugs were dirty and water was present in the carburetor float chamber. The plastic carburetor float was found cracked open.