Accident Overview
According to the pilot, the airplane was pulled from a hangar and preflighted for a maintenance test flight following an extensive annual inspection. Approximately 10 minutes after departure, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot executed an emergency landing on sea ice, during which the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Findings
While inspecting the airplane after the accident, the pilot discovered water in the airplane's gascolator. A subsequent examination by a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector confirmed the presence of water in the fuel system, including the carburetor bowl. The pilot stated that, aside from the water contamination, there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
Pilot Observations
In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot noted that the accident might have been avoided if the airplane had been positioned on level ground after being removed from the hangar, which would have allowed the water to be drained from the fuel system.