What happened
The pilot was conducting a flight when the engine experienced a sudden loss of power while the aircraft was in cruise flight at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet above ground level. With no time to restart or glide to a suitable airport, the pilot executed a forced landing in a soft field. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a dirt bank, which caused it to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
A post-crash examination of the aircraft's fuel system was conducted to determine the cause of the engine failure. The inspection revealed significant contamination within the fuel tanks. Specifically, each tank contained approximately two quarts of water, which likely caused the engine to lose power during operation.
Findings
The primary factor leading to this accident was the presence of water in the fuel system. This contamination resulted in an engine failure that necessitated a forced landing. The subsequent impact with terrain during the landing roll caused substantial damage to the aircraft and led to its inversion.