Incident Overview
A pilot conducted fueling operations for an airplane while it was parked outside in the rain. The aircraft then remained parked outdoors overnight, exposed to the same rainy conditions. The following morning, the pilot performed a preflight inspection, which included shaking the wings and draining both fuel tanks. No water was observed in the fuel during this check.
After starting the engine, the pilot allowed it to run for approximately 15 minutes before taxiing to runway 31. A run-up was completed, and no discrepancies were noted. The pilot then initiated a takeoff roll on a 3,200-foot-long runway, with the fuel selector positioned to the left tank.
Power Loss and Forced Landing
Shortly after retracting the landing gear, the pilot experienced the first indication of a power loss. The engine began to surge, and the airplane started to settle. In response, the pilot executed a forced landing with the landing gear retracted, touching down in a field located at the end of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed the presence of water in the left fuel tank and the fuel manifold. The reported rainfall at a nearby airport during a four-hour period the previous night amounted to 1.5 inches.
Probable Cause
The source does not provide a stated probable cause for the incident.