Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot maintaining a high angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall when the engine failed.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During takeoff, about 20 feet above the ground, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The sport pilot was unable to recover from a nose-high attitude prior to the airplane stalling and landing hard. During the landing rollout, the airplane contacted a berm resulting in substantial damage to the airplane and serious injuries to the pilot. An examination of the airplane revealed fuel contamination. The source of the fuel contamination could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 7, 2009, about 1100 central standard time, an Inman Kolb Mark III airplane, N313JD, piloted by a sport pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of power and subsequent forced landing at a private airstrip near Ozark, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. According to a statement provided by the pilot, he had added 5 gallons of 91-octane automobile fuel to the fuel tank prior to flight. He reported that a sump of the fuel did not reveal any contaminates. After completing a 10-minute local flight the pilot landed. He then decided to take off again. During takeoff he rotated the airplane at 65 miles per hour (mph) and was about 20 feet above the ground when the engine stopped producing power. The pilot could not pitch the nose of the airplane down before the airplane stalled. The airplane descended and experienced a hard landing. During the landing, the airplane departed the runway and collided with a berm. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's left aileron. An on-scene examination was conducted and control continuity and throttle continuity was established. Two fuel samples, taken from the airplane's fuel sump drain, revealed the presence of white particles. The source of the fuel contaminates could not be determined.