Accident Narrative
The airplane departed toward the south and climbed to an altitude of 50-100 feet, just above the tree line. It then initiated a right circling turn. After completing a full 360-degree turn with the nose 10-15 degrees high, the nose dropped and the airplane descended at a 60-degree nose-down attitude.
Post-Accident Examination
Inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. Examination of the propeller showed that one blade was broken aft in the opposite direction of rotation, and the other blade was broken straight back toward the engine.
Fuel Analysis
A sample of fuel drained from the airplane's fuel strainer bowl after the accident was described as green in color, cloudy, and resembling 'muddy water.' The fuel also contained unidentified debris. The airplane had been last fueled with 9 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline on October 17, 1999, and there was no record of it being flown since that date.