Accident Overview
A Cessna U206F aircraft, on a public-use flight to search for a murder suspect, experienced engine trouble shortly after takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane take off, and at approximately 200 feet altitude, the engine was heard to quit, surge, and then quit again. The airplane then turned steeply back toward the airport, struck treetops, and came to rest on the ground.
Investigation Findings
Following the accident, investigators examined fuel from the nacelle tank and found excessive amounts of sand and silica particles. The engine was subsequently removed from the aircraft and placed in a test cell, where it started and performed adequately. No other mechanical anomalies were reported. The aircraft's registration was not specified in the source.
Aftermath
The aircraft sustained damage during the impact with treetops and the ground. The pilot and passenger were on board for the search mission; the source does not detail any injuries or fatalities.