Accident Overview
According to witness statements, the aircraft was climbing shortly after takeoff when the left wing dropped. The aircraft then leveled off and climbed approximately 75 more feet before abruptly turning hard left and descending straight into the ground. It struck a wall surrounding a swimming pool, burst into flames, and was consumed by post-crash fire.
Engine Examination
Examination of the left engine revealed evidence suggesting that water was ingested into the cylinders prior to impact.
Pilot and Occupants
The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board, was killed.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be a loss of engine power (partial) during the takeoff-initial climb phase due to water in the fuel. The pilot did not perform propeller feathering following the engine failure. Subsequently, the pilot failed to maintain airspeed (Vmc) during the loss of control in flight, leading to an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.