Event Description
An aircraft mechanic working near the runway observed the airplane as it lifted off. The mechanic heard engine roughness and saw black smoke trailing from the left engine. The airplane climbed to about 150 feet above ground level, then entered a series of shallow left turns near the airport's east boundary at a slow speed. Subsequently, the airplane entered a rapid left roll and pitched down. The pilot transmitted an unreadable call on the FAA tower frequency, but the words 'we got a..' and 'engine' were clearly discernable. The airplane crashed in dense brush approximately 1.25 miles northeast of the airport.
Investigation Findings
Post-crash examination revealed contamination in the left engine fuel system. Testing of the left fuel servo showed it would not sustain a steady state fuel flow above about one half throttle due to contamination.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which led to fuel contamination and subsequent loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain single engine flying speed (VMC).