Accident Details
On December 14, 2009, at about 1615 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-22-160 (registration N9547D) experienced a loss of engine power during the initial climb from Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. The private pilot, who was also the owner and the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was local and personal, originating from San Jose. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that he intended to depart from runway 13L and then practice a full-stop landing on the same runway. After the departure roll, the airplane climbed to about 600 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost power. The pilot assessed that the airplane was about three-quarters down the runway with a heavily occupied road and a shopping center immediately ahead. He opted to turn 180 degrees toward the run-up area for runway 31R. The airplane touched down on wet, muddy grass and began to roll onto the asphalt run-up area where the pilot intended to land. Upon hitting the lip of the asphalt, the airplane nosed over.
The pilot stated he was unsure when the airplane was last refueled. During the preflight, he observed fuel quantities: the right tank was 1/3 full, the left tank was full, and the header (belly) tank was full. He departed with the left tank selected. He thought the engine may have quit due to water contamination in the fuel system. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report (form 6120.1), under "RECOMMENDATION," the pilot stated that although he had drained the fuel tanks for water prior to departure, the accident could have been prevented if he had followed this recommendation: "shake wing hard, wait 5-8 minutes, [and] check for water again."
Examination Findings
On December 17, 2009, an airplane mechanic examined the wreckage under the auspices of several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors. The mechanic reported that the fuel caps were present but the seals were deteriorated. The fuel tanks appeared intact with no damage. A sample from each tank disclosed that the right wing and center tank contained blue 100LL Avgas with a few small particles. The left wing tank sample had a significant amount of water present with what appeared to be red dye; the mechanic opined the red dye was residual from when the airplane was fueled with 80-octane that had dried on the upper inside of the tank.
The mechanic rocked the wings and sampled the tanks again. The right and center tanks were clear; the left tank sample contained more water, red in color. He repeated the rocking-sample procedure three more times, with the same results. The tanks were rigid metal tanks with no bladders. The mechanic removed the gascolator bowl and found no contaminants. He disassembled the carburetor and found no anomalies. The spark plugs were like-new, properly gapped, and dark gray. Inspection of the cylinder combustion chambers revealed normal wear and coloring.
The mechanic found no anomalies with the airframe or engine except for the water contamination in the left fuel tank. He opined that the left tank's lower panel may have bowed up, causing water to be trapped around the sides of the tank.