Bonanza 33
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 160; Flight Crew Type 140
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
VFR flight with pilot and one passenger. VFR with flight following. Was in contact with Center. While climbing to 11500 ft; the engine stopped at 11000 ft. Commenced emergency procedures with best glide; mag check; fuel check; switched fuel tanks; and started electric fuel boost pump. Full throttle and mixture. When engine failed to restart; I [advised ATC] and requested/received vectors and weather/runway assistance from controller. I had portable GPS and two devices running Foreflight along with a Stratus; but the help from the controller allowed me to focus on flying and landing instead of pushing buttons. Plane engine regained intermittent power at approximately 6000 feet. Landed safely with no damage or injuries on runway. Engine was not running after landing. Contacted Center via relay from another aircraft to let them know we were on ground safely.After landing; investigation revealed water in both the left fuel tank and the fuel separator on the engine. Both tanks were filled just prior to takeoff. Consulted with IA/A&P and sumps were drained and flushed with clean fuel. Engine ran at half throttle on ramp for 15-30 minutes on both fuel tanks. Fast taxied plane and did pattern flight without passenger. Resumed flight to destination with no issues.I believe that there was condensation from extremely high humidity where the plane was over weekend. When the fuel tanks were filled before flight; inadequate time was given to all water to settle and be removed from tanks. Subsequently; this filled the fuel separator and allowed water to enter the engine. The running of the boost pump likely flushed enough water out to allow the engine to provide partial power during the emergency descent. Sufficient time must be allowed for water to settle after fueling and then the pilot should test just before takeoff. Also; I should have filled the tanks on landing thus eliminating the moist air from the tanks. Another lesson for me in this event (and why I fly that way) is to fly as high as possible for the trip. Even though I had an airport 5 miles away; I had over 20 miles of glide from this elevation. Finally; the controller was great. She calmly gave me vectors; runway information; and weather so I could focus on flying the plane and attempting restart. I always fly with flight following any flight where I leave the pattern. Having them there at the push of a button and them having your immediate location is lifesaving.
The pilot of a BE-33 reported a loss of engine power in climb that resulted in a diversion and partial power landing. During subsequent troubleshooting; water was found in the fuel system.