On February 9, 1995, a Cessna T210G (registration N6854R) was involved in an aviation accident near Covington, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Water contamination in the fuel system. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
On its first flight after painting, an aircraft experienced an engine failure during cruise. Post-accident examination revealed water contamination in the fuel system, with no mechanical issues found.
Incident Overview
An aircraft on its maiden flight after being repainted encountered an engine failure while cruising. The pilot reported that the engine quit unexpectedly, preventing a glide to the nearest airport. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the incident, investigators examined the fuel system. They found approximately 3 ounces of water in the fuel gascolator and discovered that the fuel line running from the fuel tank selector to the gascolator was completely filled with water.
Engine Test
The engine was removed and run in a test cell, where it operated normally. No evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction was observed.
Conclusion
The investigation identified water contamination in the fuel system as the likely reason for the engine stoppage. No other anomalies were detected.