Incident Overview
A flight instructor and student were conducting a dual instructional flight. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The instructor initiated a forced landing in a field straight ahead of the flight path. During the descent, the airplane's right wing struck a tree, causing the aircraft to spin around and impact the ground tail first, coming to rest on a heading opposite to the original flight direction.
Fuel System Examination
During the preflight inspection, the instructor reported draining an excessive amount of water from the left fuel tank. He continued to drain the tank persistently until the fluid appeared clear of water. Following the accident, approximately one quart of water was drained from the gascolator and the left fuel tank.
Investigation Details
The investigation focused on the fuel system contamination. No other mechanical anomalies were reported. The instructor's actions during the preflight and the forced landing were documented. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing and tail section during the impact.