Incident Overview
A commercial pilot with 30,000 hours of flight experience reported that a turbine-powered agricultural airplane made a hard landing after experiencing a loss of engine power. The pilot was performing the last aerial application flight of the day when the engine lost power. The tailwheel-equipped airplane came to rest on a rough and uneven clearing located about 3 miles from the point of departure.
Refueling and Contamination
The pilot stated that the airplane had been refueled from a 1,000-gallon fuel storage tank located on his property. The fuel storage tank was contaminated with water due to torrential rain experienced during the season. The water entered the fuel storage tank through a worn-out seal on the tank's refueling port.
Damage and Injuries
Upon landing, the landing gear separated from the aircraft, and the fuselage sustained structural damage to the underside. The pilot was not injured during the mishap.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that water contamination was present in the aircraft's engine fuel filter.