NTSB Factual Report

The pilot's wife stated that the airplane's engine was running rough prior to the flight and that her husband had drained a significant amount of water from the fuel drain. Once he thought the water was drained from the system he departed. A witness saw the airplane climb to tree top level and enter a left turn as if he was trying to turn back to the airport when the engine quit. The airplane then made a hard left turn and descended straight down to the ground resulting in substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and both wings. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed water in the fuel line downstream of the fuel valve.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to adequately remove water-contaminated fuel during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during takeoff, and his decision to initiate a turn back to the runway with insufficient airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.