Incident Details
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting a training flight. During the preflight inspection, the CFI stated that they drained approximately 1 pint of water from the left wing tank and a small amount from the lower engine sump drain. No water was found in the right tank. The left tank was selected for takeoff, and a 12- to 15-minute engine run-up was performed before departure.
After takeoff, during the initial climb, the engine lost power. The CFI took control of the aircraft and executed an emergency landing in a pasture. While landing, the aircraft encountered rapidly rising terrain, causing the landing gear to collapse.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination revealed the presence of water and rust in several components of the fuel system. These included the fuel injector servo, distributor, fuel lines and nozzles, fuel pump, gascolator, and connecting lines. An estimated 1 pint of water was drained from the fuel system after the accident.