Takeoff Attempts
After refueling the right fuel tank, which had been empty, the airplane began a takeoff roll. About 400 feet down the runway, the engine 'quit' and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The pilot then performed several engine run-ups and high-speed taxis to diagnose the problem, but no issues were detected.
Second Power Loss
With no problems found, the pilot attempted another takeoff. While climbing through 75 feet above ground level, the engine lost power again. The pilot made a hard left turn to avoid electrical wires, trees, and houses. Subsequently, the airplane impacted down-sloping terrain.
Post-Accident Findings
Fuel samples taken after the accident were clear and free of contaminants. The pilot stated that it was common to find mud wasp nests throughout the airframe. The right fuel tank had been empty for 3–4 weeks. The pilot believes that a mud wasp nest blocked the fuel vent, creating a vacuum effect in the tank due to the unoccupied space between the fuel and the top of the tank. This vacuum effect would prevent fuel from entering the fuel lines and lead to fuel starvation to the engine.