Accident Details
A pilot was conducting a cross-country flight from Canada to California. After landing to clear customs into the United States and refuel, the pilot departed to continue the journey. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted an off-airport forced landing. The right wing struck railroad tracks at the top of a hill, and the airplane continued down an embankment before coming to rest adjacent to the bottom of a railroad bridge.
Fueling Error
Postaccident interviews revealed that when requesting fuel from the fixed-base operator (FBO), the pilot did not specify a grade of fuel. The refueler mistakenly identified the airplane as requiring Jet A fuel, despite the fuel filler ports being placarded "AVGAS (aviation gasoline) ONLY." The refueler then fueled the airplane with Jet A instead of aviation gasoline. Additionally, the fueling nozzle installed on the fuel truck was not the proper type; Jet A and AvGas fueling nozzles are designed differently to prevent misfueling. After fueling, the pilot returned to the FBO and signed a receipt indicating the airplane had been serviced with Jet A.
Postaccident Findings
There were no witnesses to the pilot's preflight activities, and it is unknown if the pilot visually inspected the fuel or obtained a fuel sample before takeoff. However, had the pilot performed such checks, it would have been apparent that the airplane had been improperly fueled.