Amateur-built CH601 N601MR accident near Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

Water contamination of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to remove all the water from the airplane's fuel system.

NTSB analysis

The pilot noted water in the fuel tanks while performing a preflight inspection and sampled the fuel until it appeared clear of contamination. He refueled the airplane, performed an engine run-up, and took off. During the initial climb, the airplane reached about 200 ft above ground level before the engine lost total power; the pilot landed on the remaining runway. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage.

Postaccident examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed that it was contaminated with water throughout. Testing of the airport fuel tank revealed no evidence of contamination, and no other airplanes fueled around the time of the accident airplane reported contamination. It is likely that some water remained in the airplane's fuel system after the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of power in flight when the contaminated fuel reached the engine.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA224 for the full record.