Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported that the airplane departed on runway 18. Approximately 50 feet above the ground, the engine began to sputter. The airplane started to turn left, back towards the airfield, and descend in a left wing low, nose-low attitude until ground impact. The empennage failed in a scorpion-like manner and the airplane came to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
No preimpact mechanical engine or airframe anomalies that might have affected the airplane’s performance were identified. The right fuel tank was breached and did not contain fuel. The left fuel tank contained yellow colored fuel. The firewall-mounted fuel strainer screen was discolored, and the reservoir contained brownish-yellow fuel, which was contaminated with dirt and tested positive for water. The carburetor inlet screen was partially obstructed with dirt, rust, and sand.
Aircraft Maintenance
The most recent 100-hour/annual inspection was performed on April 23, 2007, with a tachometer time of 2,393 hours. The airplane had been flown approximately 7 hours during the last 13 months. A decal near the left fuel tank filler port indicated the use of auto-gas was approved, but no associated FAA Major Repair and Alteration form 337 was found in the aircraft paperwork.