Accident Overview
During a forced landing following an engine power loss, the aircraft collided with a tree. The incident occurred after the engine ceased to operate normally, necessitating the emergency landing.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed two significant issues. The fuel strainer was completely filled with water, and the carburetor bowl contained an estimated one to two ounces of water. When the water was drained from these components, the engine operated properly. The presence of water in the fuel system was determined to have caused the loss of engine power.
Pre-Existing Issue
An unrelated problem was also identified: the engine would not idle below 1200-1500 RPM due to dirty jets in the carburetor. According to the mechanic responsible for the aircraft, this issue had existed prior to the accident and was not a contributing factor.
Summary of Contributing Factors
The direct cause of the engine power loss was water contamination in the fuel system, specifically in the fuel strainer and carburetor bowl. The removal of this water restored normal engine function. No other factors were implicated in the accident.