HESPERIA, CA, USA
N515TW
PIPER PA-23-250
THE PILOT WAS SEEN DRAINING ABOUT ONE GALLON OF WATER FROM HIS FUEL TANK 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. HE DID NOT FLY FROM THAT TIME UNTIL THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT AND A FRIEND WERE OBSERVED RE-FUELING THE AIRCRAFT WITH AUTOMOBILE GAS. THE ENGINES ARE NOT CERTIFIED BY THE FAA FOR THE USE OF AUTO GAS. HE DID NOT PERFORM A PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION NOR DRAIN THE FUEL BEFORE HIS TAKEOFF. AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 150 FEET AGL BOTH ENGINES FAILED. THE PILOT HAD ADEQUATE LANDING OPTIONS, BUT SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE UNTIL IT STALLED. ALTITUDE DID NOT PERMIT RECOVERY FROM THE STALL CONDITION.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER REFUELING AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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