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 crashed after losing engine power shortly after takeoff from Birchwood Airport, though the pilot was uninjured.
- The engine failure occurred on the third takeoff attempt, after the aircraft had been stored unused outdoors for two years.
- An FAA inspection revealed murky, silty, and rust-colored fuel in both carburetor float bowls, indicating fuel contamination as the likely cause.
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