Incident Overview
A pilot flying a general aviation airplane experienced a reduction in engine power while on final approach to Lake Norman Airport. The pilot had been flying in the local area for several minutes before returning for a full stop landing. Upon encountering the power loss, the pilot elected to initiate a climb to go around for another approach.
During the climb, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot's attempts to restore full engine power were unsuccessful. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane for an emergency landing, it collided with trees.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, one of the previous owners had left the fuel system open for an extended period during the rebuilding of the airplane. This statement was provided as part of the pilot's account of the events.
Fuel System Examination
An examination of the fuel system revealed the presence of 'hair like' materials and 'sand like' debris located between the fuel selector valve and the gascolator. This contamination restricted fuel flow to the engine. After the debris was removed, fuel flow to the engine was restored.
The investigation did not specify any other contributing factors or provide a formal probable cause determination.