What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Lost power. Struck a back hoe on forced landing. Water in poorly designed sump fuel system. (-23) pilot executed take off on rwy 24. While attempting left hand turn ut, engine began losing power. Although engine continued to run, power was never restored. Instead of a straight out emergency maneuver, pilot attempted a 180 degree turn back to runway 24. Falling short of runway, aircraft struck heavy earth moving equipment. A post accident investigation found water in both carburetors and in the main fuel bowl.
As the FAA filed it
LOST POWER. STRUCK A BACK HOE ON FORCED LANDING. WATER IN POORLY DESIGNED SUMP FUEL SYSTEM. (-23) PILOT EXECUTED TAKE OFF ON RWY 24. WHILE ATTEMPTING LEFT HAND TURN UT, ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER. ALTHOUGH ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, POWER WAS NEVER RESTORED. INSTEAD OF A STRAIGHT OUT EMERGENCY MANEUVER, PILOT ATTEMPTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO RUNWAY 24. FALLING SHORT OF RUNWAY, AIRCRAFT STRUCK HEAVY EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND WATER IN BOTH CARBURETORS AND IN THE MAIN FUEL BOWL.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.