Accident Details
While in cruise flight on the third and final leg of a trip, the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, where the airplane struck uneven terrain.
Examination Findings
Examination of the engine revealed a frozen liquid in the gascolator, consistent with water.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that prior to the trip, he fueled the airplane with "an old batch" of 80/87 aviation gasoline. The airplane then remained parked in a leaky hangar for approximately one month. Before his initial departure, the pilot sumped both wing tanks and the engine sump, but did not observe any water. However, the pilot added that the temperature was very cold, and he believed that water in the fuel tanks had frozen and risen to the surface. During the second leg of the trip, the pilot stopped at an airport and added 5 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline. He also sumped the tanks after that fueling, and did not observe any water. The reported temperature near the accident site was 22 degrees Fahrenheit.