DEN08LA121

Heavy rains and thunderstorms were present over the airport the three days prior to the accident. The pilot identified water in the left fuel tank during preflight and sumped the tank until he no longer saw any water. During the takeoff, as the main wheels were lifting off, the forward engine quit. Unable to climb, the pilot aborted the takeoff and shutdown both engines, but was unable to stop the airplane before the airplane went off the end of the runway and down a steep, rocky embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing spar was bent up and both wings rear attach points were broken. Water was found in the left fuel tank and forward engine fuel system. A broken seal was found around the recessed fuel fill port adapter plate and filler flange.

History of flight

On July 6, 2008, about 1115 Central Daylight Time (CDT), a Cessna 337G twin-engine airplane, N53661 impacted terrain after losing power on one engine while taking off. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The cross-country flight was originating from the Taney County Airport (PLK), Point Lookout, Missouri at the time of the accident and was destined for Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ), Chicago, Illinois.

The pilot stated there had been several days of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms prior to the accident and he had subsequently spent a significant amount of time sumping water from the left wing tank. His preflight engine run-up and magneto check were normal. The front engine quit during takeoff just as the main landing gear were lifting off. The pilot lowered the nose and aborted the takeoff. He ensured both engines were shutdown and applied maximum braking to stop the airplane. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane before the end of the runway and the plane went over a steep, rocky embankment.

Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing spar bent upwards, both wing rear attach fittings broken, one tail-boom was bent, and the landing gear and undercarriage were damaged.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multi-engine land airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical was issued on December 01, 2006, with no limitations.

The pilot completed NTSB form 6120.1 indicated total flight time of 1,417 hours; of which 1,166 hours were in this make and model of airplane. He logged 5 hours in the last 90 days and 4 in the last 30 days. His last noted flight review was completed November 20, 2006.

Aircraft information

The 1976-model Cessna 337G, serial number 33701763, was a high wing, semi-monocoque airplane, with a retractable tri-cycle landing gear, and was configured for six occupants. The airplane was powered by two horizontally opposed, fuel injected, six-cylinder engines. The engines were Continental IO-360, rated at 210 horsepower and driving constant speed propellers.

According to the airframe logbook, the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on July 6, 2007, with an airframe total time of 1,431.5 hours. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated approximately 1448 hours and 16.5 hours since the last inspection.

The engine logbook revealed that the engine had been inspected in accordance with an annual inspection on July 6, 2007.

Meteorological information

At 11:53 central daylight time, the weather observation facility at Harrison, Arkansas (HRO) reported, wind variable at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 9,000 feet, temperature 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.99 inches of Mercury.

Aerodrome information

Taney County Airport was an uncontrolled airport operating under class E classification airspace. The field elevation was 938 feet mean sea level (msl). Runway 29 was a 3739-foot-long by 100-foot-wide grooved asphalt runway.

Wreckage and impact information

On site documentation of the wreckage was conducted by investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airplane was located on a steep, rocky hillside approximately 100 feet west of the departure end of runway 29. The airplane was intact and all major components of the airplane were accounted for at the site.

Inspection of the airplane revealed water in the left fuel tank and the forward engine fuel system, including the forward engine gascolator/strainer and the forward engine fuel distribution valve. The right wing tank was compromised during recovery and the fuel was lost. There was no water found in the rear engine gascolator/strainer or rear engine fuel distribution valve.

The fuel fill ports and caps are recessed below the surface of the upper wing. When water was placed in the recessed area of the left wing fuel fill port water was observed leaking into the left fuel tank through the adapter plate and filler flange seal.

The engine demonstrated good compression at each cylinder and electrical current to each spark plug. Both magnetos produced spark when turned by hand.

Medical and pathological information

The pilot and front seat passenger received minor facial injuries during the accident sequence. The injuries included bruising, cuts with stitches and a broken nose to the pilot.