Accident Description
The pilot reported that while flying at 1,700 feet mean sea level, he initiated a climb and the engine's RPM dropped rapidly. In response, the pilot pulled the carburetor heat on and left it engaged for 30 to 45 seconds. He then pushed the mixture to rich, tested each magneto separately, and turned on the fuel pump. Despite these actions, the engine did not regain power above approximately 1,500 rpm.
The pilot flew a standard traffic pattern and made what he described as a 'beautiful soft field landing' in a field. During the landing roll, at an indicated airspeed of about 40 to 50 knots, the airplane impacted a ditch, sustaining substantial damage.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed the presence of approximately one to two tablespoons of water in the carburetor bowl. An inspection of the carburetor, exhaust system, magnetos, and fuel system showed no evidence of preimpact malfunction or failure. During a subsequent test run, the engine operated normally at low power settings.