19981008045999A

(.4) The certificated airline transport pilot, with one passenger, was departing for another airport about 5 miles away. During the takeoff run, the engine surged. The pilot aborted the takeoff and returned to the departure point of the runway. He said he performed an engine power check which appeared satisfactory, and continued a second takeoff. The pilot did not recheck the fuel system for contamination. Following the second takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 300 feet MSL, and the engine RPM suddenly dropped to idle. Emergency procedures did not restore power. The airplane collided with trees during an off-airport landing, and received impact damage to both wing fuel tanks. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot said he drained every fuel sump on the airplane at the beginning of the day, and again before beginning the flight to pick up the passenger. Following retrieval of the airplane, an FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. He found about 1/2 cup of water in the fuel system. One wing sump drain was partially blocked by silt. With clean fuel, the engine was started and ran at an idle. The engine later produced full power on an engine test sta ND. (-23) after take-off on runway 19, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine failed. The pilot turned to the west, attempted re-start and emergency procedures and the aircraft crashed into thick alders and turned upside down. The aircraft was destroyed. The pilot and sole passenger complained of minor injury. Minutes before this accident, the pilot aborted a take-off because of engine surging, returned to take-off position, ran up engine to his satisfaction and took off for the flight that resulted in this accident.