Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he did not sump the fuel tanks during the airplane's preflight inspection. He reasoned that because the outside temperature had remained below freezing, any water present would be in the form of ice and therefore not a concern.
Sequence of Events
Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 100 feet, the engine lost power. The airplane subsequently struck trees approximately 1/4 mile from the end of the runway.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot stated that he believed the cause of the accident was water in the fuel. He further noted that draining the sumps would have prevented the power loss.
Post-Accident Findings
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the presence of water in the gascolator.