On September 21, 1997, about 1607 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N1817G, crashed during landing when the aircraft overran the runway and struck a house at the Spurgeon Rowell Airport, in Fairview, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated he stopped to refuel after 2.5 hours of banner towing operations. After refueling, he departed and climbed to 250 feet above ground level (AGL) where the engine lost power. The pilot returned to the airport for an emergency landing. The airplane landed with insufficient runway to stop. It overran the runway and struck a building. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot had refueled from a 55 gallon drum and immediately taken fuel samples. Just after takeoff the engine started running rough and sputtering, so he returned to the airport. The FAA inspector took fuel samples from the gascolator and carburetor and found both areas contained large amounts of water.