Event
During a right turn after departing from traffic, the engine quit. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field, during which the aircraft nosed over.
Preflight and Run-Up
The aircraft had been stored outdoors in rain for several weeks prior to the flight. Before departure, a thorough preflight inspection was conducted specifically to check for water in the fuel. The run-up and taxi were normal, with no indications of any issue.
Post-Accident Inspection
After the accident, the fuel filter and carburetor were found to be full of water. Examination of the fuel cells revealed that they had ridges and steps of such significant height that trapped water was nearly impossible to remove through normal preflight methods. These fuel cells had been installed at the factory. Additionally, the factory-installed adapters around the fuel caps had eroded, allowing water to enter the fuel system.