What happened
The accident occurred during the initial climb phase immediately following takeoff. At an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft's engine ceased operation without warning. Recognizing the critical situation, the pilot executed a turn back toward the airport in an attempt to perform an emergency landing.
During the approach, the aircraft impacted soft terrain located short of the runway threshold. The force of the impact caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in the aircraft nosing over. No further details regarding injuries or specific damage beyond the nose-over are provided in the source record.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the engine failure. Investigators inspected the fuel system components thoroughly. The inspection revealed significant water contamination within the fuel lines, fuel filters, and the carburetor. Additionally, the examination identified deteriorated seals on the fuel cap, which likely allowed moisture ingress into the fuel tank.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the presence of water in the fuel system. The deterioration of the fuel cap seals compromised the integrity of the fuel storage, allowing water to enter and contaminate the fuel supply. This contamination led to engine malfunction and subsequent power loss during a critical phase of flight where altitude and airspeed are limited.