Accident Overview
During a takeoff, the airplane's engine stopped abruptly at the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that the engine did not sputter or cough; the rpm dropped and the engine became quiet. He turned the airplane to the left and attempted to restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Flight History
The pilot had been flying the airplane the previous week without noting any discrepancies with the airplane or engine. He flew into the airport the day before the accident and had to refuel the airplane with auto fuel because the airport did not provide aviation fuel. The pilot stated that the airplane had been approved for auto fuel use by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). The morning of the accident, he conducted a run-up with no discrepancies noted.
Witness Observations
A witness to the accident stated that the airplane appeared to be at full power, but the airspeed was low and the airplane was not climbing.
Post-Accident Examination
Following recovery, grade 100LL aviation gasoline was introduced into a tank and plumbed into the airplane fuel system. During the first attempt to start the engine, it ran rough. A second engine run was conducted with no discrepancies noted. The engine was examined and no discrepancies were found. The fuel removed from the airplane during recovery was described as bright yellow mixed with blue.
Environmental Conditions
According to the carburetor icing probability chart, conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at climb power.