Summary
A pilot reported that two days before the accident, he fueled the airplane from an unfiltered barrel. On the day of the accident, the pilot intended to reposition the airplane from the ramp to a hangar because of rain showers the previous day. After starting the engine without performing a preflight inspection, the pilot decided to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern to dry it off. A normal run-up was performed, and the left fuel tank was selected for takeoff.
Details
After takeoff at approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine ceased operating. A restart was attempted but was unsuccessful. The pilot executed a forced landing in a soft field. Following the accident, the pilot, who is an A&P mechanic, drained the left fuel tank and inspected the gascolator. Both were found to contain water.
Aftermath
The presence of water in the fuel system was identified post-accident. No other issues were reported with the engine. The pilot's decision to skip the preflight inspection and the use of unfiltered fuel contributed to the water contamination.