19990420019579A

On April 20, 1999, at 1834 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna R182, N7317X, was substantially damaged when the right wing collided with a sign during an off airport emergency landing near San Luis Obispo, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The commercial licensed pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight operated by the owner under 14 CFR part 91 departed from San Luis Obispo at 1815. The pilot reported that he was returning for landing when the engine stopped abruptly about 6 miles northwest of the airport. The aircraft descended through a stratus cloud layer and broke out beneath a 900-foot ceiling. The pilot determined that the aircraft would not glide to the airport and made an emergency landing in an open field along side a highway. Inspectors from the san jose flight standards district office reported that the fuel sump contained a clear fluid resembling water and that the right-hand fuel tank sump drain had a threaded plug installed. (-23)on April 20, 1999 at approximately 1830L while preparing for approach to San Luis Obispo (sbp) airport, a Cessna 182 piloted by lynn mahin reported to sbp tower that he was going down due to complete engine failure. The aircraft made an emergency landing on the edge of a highway coming to rest into a form fence with no injuries to the sole occupant, Mr. Mahin. The source of the engine failure was traced to water in the carburetor.