Accident Overview
An airplane was destroyed when it lost engine power and struck a house shortly after departing from an airport with a 5,001-foot-long, 150-foot-wide asphalt runway. The pilot reported adding fuel to the wingtip fuel tanks and oil to the engine prior to flight, and conducting a preflight inspection that included sampling fuel from the wingtip tanks. No anomalies were noted during the taxi or engine run-up.
Takeoff and Power Loss
During the takeoff roll, the airplane used more runway than usual and did not appear to have full engine power at rotation. Witnesses at the airport and near the accident site reported hearing interruptions in engine noise as the airplane descended into a mobile home community.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. However, the carburetor, mechanical fuel pump, electric fuel pump, magnetos, and propeller governor could not be tested due to post-impact fire damage. The fuel selector was found set to the left wingtip tank, which had been fueled before takeoff. Testing of the fueling truck showed no evidence of water or contamination.
Performance Review
Review of aircraft performance charts indicated that the airplane should have been able to clear a 50-foot obstacle and climb at about 600 feet per minute after an approximate 2,000-foot takeoff roll.