What happened
The aircraft was performing its first flight following recent maintenance work necessitated by a previous accident in which the airplane had been submerged under water. During the initial climb phase, the engine began to lose power. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing into a nearby river; however, the aircraft stalled and impacted the water in a nose-down attitude before sinking.
The investigation
Following the accident, a test run of the engine was conducted, which produced no observable anomalies. However, an inspection of the fuel injector distributor valve revealed that both fuel and water were leaking from underneath the diaphragm.
Further examination of the left wing showed inward and upward crushing damage to the leading edge, extending from the wing root outward. Upon inspection of the wing fuel bladder, investigators identified five wrinkles, each measuring approximately 8 to 12 inches in length and 1/4 inch in height, extending outward from the wing root.