What happened
During a preflight inspection, water was discovered in the main fuel tanks of the aircraft. After performing several sump operations, the pilots believed the water had been successfully removed from the system. During subsequent maneuvers, the flight instructor intentionally failed and secured the right engine as part of the flight operations. An attempt to restart the right engine was unsuccessful, leading the crew to decide to return to the airport.
While the aircraft was turning on an approximate three-mile final approach, the left engine also failed. Approximately one quarter-mile from the runway, the student pilot initiated a left turn to facilitate a forced landing into an open field. During this left turn, the aircraft contacted the terrain. The occupants were not injured.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the wreckage revealed that water was present in the main fuel tanks as well as within the carburetor bowls of both engines.