What happened
While operating under VFR conditions during the cruise phase of flight, the engine began running roughly. Recognizing the mechanical issue, the pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing on an available gravel road.
During the landing ground roll, the right main landing gear encountered soft dirt located at the side of the roadway. This contact caused the aircraft to become unstable. The pilot attempted to correct the trajectory by steering left; however, this overcorrection caused the aircraft to swerve off the left edge of the road. The aircraft subsequently impacted a ditch and a wire fence.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the mechanical status of the engine and fuel system. The inspection revealed the presence of water in the fuel tanks, indicating fuel contamination as a likely contributor to the engine roughness.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that fuel contamination led to engine performance issues, necessitating an emergency landing. The subsequent loss of control during the ground roll was caused by uneven surface conditions and pilot overcorrection.