MKC83LA039

Factual narrative

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT RAN LOW ON FUEL. HE PURCHASED 15 GAL OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL AND PUT IT IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. HE THEN TOOK OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY, FLEW TO AN AIRPORT AND ADDED AN ADDITIONAL 20 GAL OF 100LL, AVIATION FUEL. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, ONE WING WAS TORN OFF DURING A FORCED LANDING AND THE PLANE BURNED. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT USED ALL OF THE 3100 FT RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL; HOWEVER, THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED AND WATER COULD HAVE ENTERED DURING THE FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12