ATL94LA058

According to the pilot, he flew the airplane to norfolk and parked it on the ramp for several days. On the day of the accident, the pilot departed norfolk with the fuel selector on the left tank. Upon reaching his turn around point, the pilot drained the fuel sumps, and placed the fuel selector on the right tank. A quantity of water was recovered from the fuel system when the fuel sumps were drained, but he could not recall how much was recovered from the system. After the pilot completed a run- up, the flight departed. At 350 feet MSL, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power; a forced landing was made to an open field. During the examination of the airplane a few ounces of water were recovered from the fuel system. During the normal preflight, the fuel system must be checked for contaminates with the nose of the airplane in the lowered position. The pilot reported that the right fuel cap would not seal and had a history of collecting water in the right fuel tank. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose any other findins.

On March 5, 1994, at 1510 eastern standard time, a Grantz Rutan Long EZ, N7169L, collided with the ground while attempting an emergency landing to a field near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, without a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Kill Devil Hills, at 1529 hours.

Earlier in the day, the pilot departed Norfolk, Virginia, and flew to Chesapeake, Virginia, where he refueled the left tank. The pilot said he departed Chesapeake without sumping either fuel tank. After stopping in Currituck, North Carolina, the flight continued to Kill Devil Hills. After a short visit, the pilot returned to the airport for the return flight. The pilot completed his normal preflight, but could not recall if water was sumped from the fuel system.

According to the pilot, after the preflight, he switched the fuel selector to the right tank for his return flight. He completed a runup, and departed shortly afterward. As the airplane climbed through 350 feet, the pilot reduced the throttle as part of the normal climb procedure. Within seconds of reaching 350 feet, the engine started losing power; attempts by the pilot to regain full engine power failed. The pilot selected an open field and established an emergency descent; the airplane collided with a tree prior to touching down in the field.

During the examination of the airplane, a few ounces of water were recovered from the fuel system. The fuel system must be sumped for contaminants with the nose of the airplane in the lowered position. The pilot also stated that the right fuel tank had a history of collecting water when the airplane was parked in the rain; it rained in Norfolk when the airplane was parked outside.