What happened
This incident occurred during the aircraft's first flight following winter storage. Prior to departure, the pilot performed pre-flight inspections that included draining the fuel tank sumps and the gascolator. These procedures revealed a small amount of water contamination in the fuel system.
Approximately twenty minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing on tundra terrain. During the landing roll, the aircraft nosed over. Following the incident, the pilot inspected the fuel system and removed the fuel line connecting the gascolator to the carburetor, discovering water within the line.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft following the forced landing. Examination of the fuel system confirmed the presence of water contamination in the fuel line between the gascolator and the carburetor. This finding corroborated the pilot's pre-flight observations of water in the sumps and gascolator, indicating that the initial drainage was insufficient to remove all moisture from the system.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were fuel contamination and the resulting engine power loss. The presence of water in the fuel system prevented proper combustion, leading to the forced landing. The severity of the damage was exacerbated by the terrain type, which caused the aircraft to nosing over upon touchdown.
Safety message
This event highlights the critical importance of thorough fuel drainage procedures after prolonged storage. Even small amounts of water can cause significant engine performance issues. Pilots should ensure complete removal of all moisture from the fuel system before flight.