Cessna 172N, VH-TEF, 2km South-west of Dooley Downs WA, 23 August 1984

The pilot stated that the last refuel used super motor fuel, taken from the station bulk storage and decanted into an empty 200 litre aviation fuel drum, before being pumped into the aircraft. The refuelling of the aircraft had taken place two days before the accident. Following the refuelling, the pilot had taken a fuel sample but believed it to be free of water. No additional fuel samples had been taken prior to the accident. An inspection of the aircraft fuel system revealed a substantial quantity of water present in the carburettor bowl, fuel strainer bowl and both wing drain points. There is little doubt that this quantity of water was sufficient to cause the engine to fail.