BAYPORT, NY, USA
N22550
CESSNA 150
DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND THEN BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE PILOT CHECKED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH WAS ON. HE TURNED AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES WHILE THE PILOT WAS AVOIDING A HOUSE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD USED A MIXTURE OF AVIATION FUEL AND AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE. HE REPORTED THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, HE USED A MIXTURE CONTAINING ABOUT 50 PERCENT AUTOMOBILE FUEL. ALSO, HE COMMENTED THAT HE DID THIS QUITE OFTEN AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HAD REPLACED HIS SPARK PLUGS WITH USED PLUGS THAT HE HAD CLEANED. WHEN TESTED, THREE OF THE EIGHT PLUGS WOULD NOT FIRE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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