What happened
A pilot departed on a local test flight in an aircraft that had reportedly not been flown for the previous six months. The ambient temperature was 96 degrees Fahrenheit. During the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 75 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. While attempting an emergency descent, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. A witness observed the airplane descending in a nose-down and left-wing-down attitude prior to the crash.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found that while fuel was present in the fuel strainer, no fuel was found in the carburetor. The inspection confirmed that the fuel line was not blocked. It was noted that the aircraft had been serviced with automobile fuel and had been exposed to the hot sun for several hours before the flight.