What happened
An airline transport pilot was conducting a one-time maintenance ferry flight from Merrill Field to Anchorage International Airport, located approximately 3 miles away. The aircraft was operating under an FAA ferry permit because it did not have a current annual inspection. Prior to the flight, the airplane had been stored outdoors for roughly two months with the main fuel tanks approximately 75% full.
During the initial climb from runway 24, at an altitude of about 100 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of power in the right engine. This was followed by a brief surge in power before the right engine suffered a total loss of power. Having passed the point where a safe abort of the takeoff was possible, the pilot attempted to continue the climb on a single engine. However, the pilot could not maintain sufficient airspeed, altitude, or directional control due to the inoperative right engine.
The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing. During the descent, the aircraft struck a power line and a maintenance tool shed within a railroad maintenance yard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its wings, fuselage, and tail. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and performed a fuel analysis. A sample of fuel taken from the airplane exhibited visible contaminants.