What happened
During the initial climb phase following takeoff, the aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure, selecting a nearby highway as the landing site. While maneuvering to avoid a truck on the roadway, the left wing and horizontal stabilizer struck a guardrail.
The investigation
A post-crash inspection of the aircraft was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. Examination of the engine revealed significant contamination within the fuel system. Specifically, water was found in the fuel line located between the fuel pump and the fuel injector. Additionally, water was detected inside the fuel injection unit itself.
Findings
The presence of water in the fuel system indicates a failure in fuel integrity prior to the incident. This contamination likely caused the engine to stop running during the critical climb phase. The subsequent collision with the guardrail occurred while the pilot attempted to navigate around obstacles on the highway surface.