Background
The aircraft had a documented history of water contamination in its fuel system. To address the issue, the system had been purged. During the winter months, the pilot did not fly the aircraft but ran the engine periodically.
Accident Sequence
On the day of the accident, the pilot refueled the aircraft and completed a normal power run-up. After that, the pilot took off. Shortly after takeoff, a loss of engine power occurred. This power loss necessitated a forced landing on tidal flats. During the landing, the right landing gear collapsed upon encountering a depression in the terrain. As a result, the aircraft nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, approximately one gallon of fuel was drained from the fuel sump. Examination of the sample revealed the presence of water and solid particulates. The engine was then started and it ran normally, showing no issues.