On September 3, 1995, a Champion 7GCB (registration N9838Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Howard, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure the fuel was free of water contamination, which resulted in engine power loss. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft experienced engine power loss during initial climb following a banner pickup. The pilot attempted a turn but entered a stall and crashed. Investigation revealed water contamination in the fuel.
What happened
The flight began with the pilot refueling the airplane from a portable five-gallon container just before departure. During the initial climb phase after completing a banner pickup, the engine suffered a sudden loss of power. Witnesses observed the aircraft execute a right turn, which led to an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the ground.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft focused on the fuel system. Inspectors checked the fuel sump drain located at the aft section of the fuel tank. The test revealed that the fuel contained significant water contamination, which likely restricted flow or caused engine flameout.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was water contamination in the fuel. The use of a portable container for refueling may have introduced moisture into the system. This contamination resulted in fuel exhaustion or starvation during a critical phase of flight, leaving the pilot with insufficient time to recover from the resulting power loss.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure the fuel was free of water contamination, which resulted in engine power loss.