DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  On April 4, 2020, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N98SW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power at Santa Paula Airport (SZP), Santa Paula, California.

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to maintain currency in the accident airplane, which had not been flown in several months. He performed a preflight inspection, during which time he observed a total fuel quantity of about 15 gallons, evenly balanced between the left and right wing fuel tanks. The pilot only used the fuel gauges to verify the fuel, as he did not look inside the fuel tanks to visually confirm the fuel level. He then sumped the fuel tanks and discovered water in the right wing tank. He eventually observed water-free samples after he sumped the right wing about 4 times.

The pilot started the airplane and taxied to runway 22 where he performed an engine run-up and did not observe any anomalies. During the initial climb on his fourth touch and go maneuver, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power as the airplane reached about 100 ft above ground level. He immediately began a left turn with the intention of landing on runway 04. The engine momentarily regained power multiple times during the descent as the nose of the airplane dropped, but the pilot was unable to successfully restore and maintain engine power. The airplane impacted a dry riverbed and came to rest upright

AIRCRAFT:  1976 Cessna, 177RG Cardinal RG    N98SW    S/N: 177RG1090   TT: ~6526

ENGINE:  Lycoming   Model:  IO-360-A1B6D   S/N: L-20712-51A   TT: ~3357   TSMOH: ~547

PROPELLER:  Hartzell   Model:  HC-C3YR-1RF  S/N:  DY6718B

EQUIPMENT: 

    KMA24 TSO Audio Panel P/N 066-1055-03

    RT328D Nav/Com

    300A Navomatic

    300 ADF Receiver R546E

    300 XPDR Transponder

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES: Propeller bent, engine requires sudden stoppage inspection, nose wheel, lower engine cowl and firewall are bent, fuselage, belly damage, horizontal stabilizer and elevador damaged from terrain impact.  See Pictures 

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:    Ray’s Aviation Services – Santa Paula, CA

SALVAGE MAY BE INSPECTED BY CONTACTING:  Phil Powell 770-831-5862

REMARKS:  See Photo's