Accident Overview
A nose gear collapse occurred during a forced landing after the engine lost power. The aircraft and its owner had not been flown for over nine months. The owner was on a recheck flight with a certified flight instructor (CFI) to regain currency.
Preflight and Flight History
The owner conducted a preflight inspection and reported no water in the fuel sumps. The CFI did not participate in or witness the preflight but accepted the owner’s assessment based on having seen the owner perform a preflight on a prior occasion.
Events During Flight
The flight proceeded normally until the CFI made several steep turns. Shortly after the turns, while the owner was flying, the engine failed to respond to throttle inputs. The CFI assumed control and attempted an engine restart, which was unsuccessful. A forced landing was executed, during which the nose gear collapsed.
Post-Accident Investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed water in the fuel lines and carburetor. One cup of water was drained from the gascolator. The aircraft is equipped with two 18-gallon fuel tanks located in the wings. These tanks are positioned such that water could collect across the entire bottom without pooling at the fuel outlet lines.
Findings
The investigation determined the presence of water in the fuel system, which likely caused the engine failure. No other mechanical anomalies were reported.