Cessna 177RG

Full Narrative

On April 4, 2020, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N98SW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Santa Paula Airport (SZP), Santa Paula, California. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, he had planned an approximate 30-minute flight to maintain currency in the accident airplane, which was his personal airplane that he had not flown in several months. He performed a preflight inspection, during which time he observed a total fuel quantity of about 10 gallons, evenly balanced between the left- and right-wing fuel tanks. The pilot observed that the fuel gauges indicated "just above empty," and did not look inside the fuel tanks to visually confirm the fuel level. He then sumped the fuel tanks and discovered that the right fuel tank contained some water, but he eventually observed water-free fuel samples after he sumped the right wing about three times.
The pilot started the airplane and taxied to runway 22 where he performed an engine run-up and did not observe any anomalies. During the initial climb on his fourth touch and go maneuver, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power as the airplane reached about 100 ft above ground level. He immediately began a left turn with the intention of landing on runway 04. The engine momentarily regained power multiple times during the descent as the nose of the airplane dropped, but the pilot was unable to successfully restore and maintain engine power. The airplane impacted a dry riverbed and came to rest upright in an area of dense vegetation.
Postaccident photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration showed substantial damage to the stabilator.
Recovery personnel reported no evidence of a fuel spill and that neither fuel tank was breached. After the airplane was recovered, the recovery team drained about 2 gallons of fuel from the right wing and noted that the left wing was devoid of fuel. The fuel strainer was free of debris and contained a few ounces of uncontaminated fuel.
Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. The engine was subsequently test run, during which time it sounded smooth and continuous through various power settings.