The pilot departed on a VFR flight in the Grumman AA-5, returning to his home airport in Sarasota, Florida, after work.
On about a three-mile final approach to the runway, he switched from the right to the left fuel tank. When he tried to add engine power, he found there was no response.
He then switched back to the right tank and found the engine was still producing no power.
He executed a forced landing in a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, tail, and fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries in the crash.
An inspection of the wing fuel tanks found the left tank to be empty and dry, and a sample from the right tank revealed all water with no visible fuel.
When the carburetor was drained, it had about 2 tablespoons of liquid — half fuel and half water.
The pilot told investigators that he did not check for fuel contamination before departing.
He also reported that he fueled the airplane with fuel cans that were uncapped and exposed to rain over the weekend.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to detect water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a loss of engine power on approach.
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This June 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I think the pilot was seriously injured with brain damage for leaving fuel cans that were uncapped and exposed to rain over the weekend.
Glad the pilot was not seriously wounded. Sad though about the Grumman. This was so easily avoidable. Doesn’t get any more basic than sumping the tanks.