Incident Overview
The aircraft had been parked on the ramp for seven days prior to the accident flight due to poor weather, which included snow, rain, and below-freezing temperatures. The fuel tanks were partially filled. During the preflight inspection, the pilot reported no visible moisture, and the engine run-up was normal.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
After departure and landing gear retraction, the right engine lost power. The pilot advanced all engine power controls forward, verified that the engine fuel boost pumps were on, and confirmed the landing gear was retracted before executing an off-airport forced landing. According to the pilot's written statement, the engine failure occurred after lift-off and before reaching Vyse.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the aircraft recovery, the right engine was examined, and no discrepancies were noted. However, inspection of the four fuel filler cap O-rings revealed signs of deterioration and cracking, which the investigation determined was sufficient to allow water to enter the fuel tanks. The outside air temperature had been below freezing the night prior to and the morning of the accident. The aircraft had completed its annual inspection three months and 15 flight hours before the accident flight.