Preflight and Departure
The fuel tanks had been topped the night before the accident, and the aircraft was left outside. During the preflight inspection, the pilot drained each fuel tank using the cockpit drain for about five seconds, but did not use a container. The engine runup prior to departure was normal.
Accident Sequence
After rotation, the aircraft yawed to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, but the aircraft collided with trees, a powerline, and then the ground. There was no fire following the impact.
Post-Accident Examination
Fire department personnel turned off the fuel selectors, which were positioned from each main tank to the engine. The fuel tanks were drained, but no determination could be made as to whether contaminants were present. The left engine gascolator was clean, while the right engine gascolator contained sediment.
Examination of the left engine revealed that the left magneto was not correctly timed to the engine, but the right magneto was. Both magnetos were tested and operated normally. The fuel servo, distributor valve, nozzles, and lines were removed for testing and operated normally.
Conclusion
No determination could be made as to the reason for the reported loss of engine power from the left engine.