AFTER THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED, THE PILOT AND A MECHANIC TOOK OFF ON A TEST FLIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WHEN FORCE LANDED ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING TANK QUICK DRAIN WAS INOPERABLE (RUSTED SHUT) AND WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. REPORTEDLY, THE QUICK DRAIN HAD BEEN INOPERATIVE SINCE THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, ABOUT TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY. THE PILOT BELIEVED WATER COULD BE DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK BY SELECTING THAT POSITION AND PULLING THE GASCOLATOR HANDLE IN THE COCKPIT. AN AUTHORIZED MOONEY DISTRIBUTOR STATED THAT OVER ONE GALLON OF FLUID WOULD HAVE TO BE DRAINED IN THIS MANNER, TO BE EFFECTIVE.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

FUEL SYSTEM,DRAIN..CORRODED

Contributing Factors

MAINTENANCE..INADEQUATE..OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL

Contributing Factors

FUEL SYSTEM,DRAIN..INOPERATIVE

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..SOFT

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