CEN21LA219

The pilot fueled the airplane using containers kept in the flying club hangar. Unknown to the pilot, one of the containers contained water, which he added to the left fuel tank. He noted that no water was observed when the fuel tanks were sumped as part of the preflight inspection; although, there was likely insufficient time for the water to settle out. The engine run-up, takeoff, and initial climb were conducted with the right fuel tank selected and were routine. However, when the pilot changed to the left fuel tank during the climb, the engine lost power. He executed a forced landing to an interstate highway. About 2-1/2 gallons of water were drained from the left fuel tank following the accident. No water was detected in the right fuel tank. No anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the airframe fuel system were observed. An individual associated with the flying club reported that he was cleaning an airplane in the hangar the day before the accident. He had used a fuel container to get water and marked it, “water for cleaning.” At the end of the day, he left the container next to the airplane with the intention of continuing the next day. There were 2 to 3 gallons of water in the container at the time.

On May 13, 2021, at 1117 central daylight time, a Beech B24R airplane, N9199S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Lenox, Illinois. The pilot and 2 passengers were seriously injured, and 1 passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported the airplane was fueled from four identical fuel containers kept in the flying club hangar. One container was already full. He took the other three containers to the fuel pump, filled them with 100 low-lead aviation fuel, and returned to the airplane. He added about 10 gallons of fuel to each wing fuel tank from the four containers. Shortly afterward, during the preflight inspection, he sumped the fuel tanks and did not observe any contamination. The engine started without hesitation, and the before takeoff run-up, takeoff, and initial climb out were normal. The right fuel tank was selected for the takeoff and initial climb; however, he then switched the left fuel tank. Shortly after changing tanks, the engine lost power. His efforts to restore engine power were not successful, and he executed a forced landing to an interstate highway. The airplane impacted a concrete barrier wall during the landing. A postaccident examination recovered approximately 2-1/2 gallons of water from the left fuel tank. No water was detected in the right fuel tank. No anomalies with respect to the engine assembly or the airframe fuel system were observed. An individual associated with the flying club reported that he was cleaning an airplane in the hangar the day before the accident flight. He had used a fuel container to get water and marked it, “water for cleaning”. At the end of the day, he left the container next to the airplane with the intention of continuing the next day. There were 2 to 3 gallons of water in the container at the time.