Accident Sequence
The airplane collided with the ground during an off-airport forced landing after it began losing altitude immediately after lift off. The pilot had flown earlier that morning from another airport at 13,500 feet without any problems and intended to take three passengers on a local flight.
Pre-Takeoff and Takeoff
On the accident flight, the pilot completed a full power run-up and leaned to slightly rich of best power. The run-up was normal, the engine ran smoothly, and he felt that it was developing full power. He had selected a go-no-go point estimated at about 2,000 feet down the runway. The airplane accelerated normally and lifted off well before that point. It attained the expected climb speed but a less than expected climb rate. All instruments appeared within normal ranges, but the airplane stopped climbing.
Forced Landing and Collision
The airplane was approaching the end of the runway and steadily losing altitude. The pilot set up for an off-airport landing but saw a berm directly ahead. To avoid the obstruction, he aggressively pushed the yoke forward and applied full right rudder. The left wing struck the ground first, and the airplane cartwheeled.
Post-Accident Examination
The spark plugs for cylinder No. 2 were lighter in color than the others. Investigators observed an unidentified particle obstructing the cylinder No. 2 fuel injection nozzle, and water in the fuel flow divider. The flow divider diaphragm was intact and undamaged. The engine-driven fuel pump's internal cavities displayed areas of corrosion. The valve bodies had areas of rust where material was missing. Sediment was resting on the compensator diaphragm. The gascolator was clean. The fuel servo fuel inlet screen was not contaminated. Examination of the fuel injector servo revealed internal corrosion and contamination by a large piece of black contamination on the unmetered side of the diaphragm. The servo flowed satisfactorily during a bench test but was somewhat rich.
Logbook Review
A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed an overhaul of the injection system at the time of an engine overhaul in November 1998. A logbook entry dated January 17, 2000, noted an ultrasonic cleaning of the fuel nozzles. The density altitude was computed to be 7,680 feet.