ATL94LA143

After fueling the aircraft, the pilot observed 'a lot' of water in the fuel, when checking the sumps. He shook the wings, and again observed water. He allowed the aircraft to sit for about an hour, then he checked the sumps again. He drained water until no more water was observed. At about 200 feet AGL, during the initial climb, the engine quit. He force landed the airplane, and it collided with trees. Post accident inspection revealed evidence of water in the fuel tanks and carburetor bowl. The fuel supply at the FBO was checked, and no contamination was found.

On July 19, 1994, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3513U, collided with trees during a forced landing in Raeford, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Larry B. Franklin. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Gardiner, New York. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he started the engine, and taxied to the fueling area at about 0930 on the day of the accident. After fueling the airplane, he checked the fuel system for water. He reported finding "a lot" of water. He shook the wings, and again observed water in the fuel. He shook the wings again, and let the aircraft sit for about an hour. More fuel was then drained until water was no longer visible. The flight departed about 1245. About 100 to 200 feet above ground level, during the initial climb, the engine quit, suddenly. He put the aircraft down in a wooded area, crashing into trees.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the wreckage. He reported the following: The throttle and mixture controls operated properly. Fuel had been removed from the fuel tanks prior to his arrival, however, there was evidence of water remaining in the system when draining the sumps. The carburetor bowl was examined, and it contained water. There was evidence of water in the engine oil supply. Several spark plugs were removed, and all revealed an appearance of being "steam cleaned." When the engine was pulled through by hand, there was no evidence of seizure. The fuel supply for the airport fixed base operator was tested; no evidence of contamination was found.