At about 1345 Alaska standard time, an amateur-built Kolb Fire Star II lost engine power and crashed into trees after takeoff from Birchwood Airport. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said the airplane had been stored outside unused for two years. He made two successful touch-and-go landings, but the engine quit on the third takeoff at about 50 feet agl. An FAA inspector found both carburetor float bowls contained murky, silty and rust-colored fuel.
November 01, Chugiak, Alaska / Kolb Fire Star II
At about 1345 Alaska standard time, an amateur-built Kolb Fire Star II lost engine power and crashed into trees after takeoff from Birchwood Airport. The pilot was not injured. The pilot said the airplane had been stored outside unused for two years. He made two successful touch-and-go landings, but the engine quit on the third takeoff at about 50 feet agl. An FAA inspector found both carburetor float bowls contained murky, silty and rust-colored fuel....
Key Takeaways:
- An amateur-built Kolb Fire Star II lost engine power and crashed into trees shortly after takeoff, with the pilot uninjured.
- The aircraft had been stored outside unused for two years, and the engine failed on its third takeoff attempt following two successful touch-and-go landings.
- An FAA inspection determined the cause to be severely contaminated fuel—murky, silty, and rust-colored—found in both carburetor float bowls.
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