EUREKA, AK, USA
N4392C
CHAMPION 7EC
A FERRY PILOT AND THE PURCHASER OF THE AIRPLANE ARRIVED TO ACCEPT IT FROM THE SELLER AND FOUND THE ENGINE ALREADY RUNNING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD SAT OUTDOORS WITH EMPTY FUEL TANKS FOR 3 MOS. THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY BACKFIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND QUIT ONCE, DURING RUNUP. THERE WAS REPORTEDLY NO INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS. THE SELLER REPORTEDLY TOLD THE BUYER THAT THE ENGINE IS TYPICALLY 'COLD STARTING.' THE FERRY PILOT THEN TOOK OFF AND EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT POWER LOSS AT 150 FT, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF WAS 'RIGHT AT FREEZING.'
THE PILOT-IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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