19980601026769A

Witnesses reported that the aircraft was not gaining altitude shortly after take-off. The wings were dipping up then down. The pilot was then seen trying to bank left when the plane went down into the forest approx. 1/16 mi in from the road. The pilots log books have not been recovered to date. The surviving family has been contacted by the FAA concerning the importance of attaining the log books. Curt logan, who identified himself as the pilots best friedn, testified that the plane had a fuel leak and used water in the tank to find the fuel leak. He also said that the pilot did various engine work prior to the accident. (See fax from NTSB) (.4) a witness reported the airplane did not climb above 200 feet and reported seeing the airplane 'wobbling up and down' as it attempted to climb. He reported the airplane went into a sharp left bank and nose dived down. The airplane burned upon impact. The wreckage was located in a wooded area about 3/4 mile from the approach and of runway 30. Numerous open farm fields were located near the airplane's flight path. The winds were reported at 240 degrees at 22 knots gusting to 29 knots. The wreckage path was on a 040 heading and covered about 190 feet from initial tree impact to the location of the main wreckage. The engine inspection did not reveal any anomalities to either engine. The flight was the first maintenance check flight after the airplane had not been flown for 14 months. During maintenance the pilot had put about 100 gallons of water in the left main and left auxiliary fuel tanks to locate a fuel leak. A plug was installed in the left auxiliary fuel drain valve and the fuel tank could not be checked during preflight for fuel contamination without removing the plug.