Accident Details
A Maule M-4-220C aircraft collided with a four-foot-high dirt bank after experiencing a loss of engine power during takeoff. The pilot reported that the engine power was surging during the initial climb. At approximately 75 feet above ground level, the engine ceased operation.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed that it started and ran without any malfunctions. The pilot suspected that possible water in the fuel or sediments temporarily blocking a fuel line may have contributed to the power loss.
Previous Flight and Fueling
The airplane had last been flown one week earlier for a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Fueling records indicated that the airplane was fueled with 8.9 gallons of aviation fuel after that flight. The average fuel consumption for the engine is in excess of 12 gallons per hour.
FAA Recommendations
The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that fuel tanks be completely filled after each flight, or at least after the last flight of the day. The rationale is that when air in the fuel tank cools, the moisture it contains condenses into water and contaminates the fuel. Pilots are advised to take necessary steps to eliminate water during preflight inspection.