Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, leading to a forced landing. The airplane had been parked on the ramp for approximately 2.5 weeks with its fuel tanks half filled. During this period, outside air temperatures dropped to 18 degrees Fahrenheit the night before the accident and remained below freezing until about three hours before the flight. At the time of the accident, the temperature had risen to 43 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preflight and Flight Sequence
The pilot did not perform a fuel contamination check before departure. The engine start, run-up, and takeoff were normal. However, at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet, the engine failed. The pilot executed a forced landing.
Investigation Findings
Subsequent examination revealed evidence of water in a container that held fuel removed from the airplane. The presence of water in the fuel is consistent with condensation forming in the partially filled tanks over the extended period of cold weather. The lack of a preflight fuel check meant this contamination went undetected.