What happened
The pilot reported that the takeoff roll for the aircraft was very short. Immediately after liftoff, the power on the left engine surged. Believing the aircraft had suffered an engine failure, the pilot applied full right rudder; however, the power on the left engine increased during this maneuver.
A witness observed the airplane become airborne approximately 500 feet after the start of the takeoff roll. The aircraft was seen assuming a high angle of attack and entering a left turn with a bank angle of approximately 30 degrees. As the pitch attitude increased, the aircraft rolled to the left, resulting in a collision with the ground and a hangar.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assemblies, and accessories showed no evidence of any malfunction or failure occurring prior to the crash.
Upon disassembling the left engine gascolator, investigators found that the gascolator bowl contained contamination consisting of water, debris, and dirt. Further disassembly of the left engine carburetor revealed that the bowl assembly was dry. Additionally, reddish-colored residue, in the form of dirt and debris, was found along the sidewalls of the bowl assembly.