Accident Narrative
The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he drained the main lower sump but did not drain the wing sumps, as was company policy. The pilot stated that he was told by the mechanic that "constant use of the wing sumps causes them to leak, and also causes damage to the fuel cells that is hard to repair." The pilot also reported that the airplane had been fueled a few days prior to the flight from a 55-gallon barrel using an electric pump at the company's fueling facility. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with trees.
Post-Accident Inspection
Post-accident inspection of the aircraft found that fuel samples taken from the sumps produced a pint of cloudy, watery substance that was drained from the left wing sump. A mixture of cloudy and clear fuel was drained from the engine fuel sump, and clear jet fuel was drained from the right wing sump.
Fuel Storage Conditions
The inspector traveled to the fueling facility and checked the pump glass fuel filter cover, observing it to be half full of what appeared to be water. Two 55-gallon barrels were sitting outside in the rain.