THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN A POST FLT FIRE AFTER A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT IN A PRIVATE YARD. THE ENGINE HAD SURGED AND LOST POWER DURING THE DESCENT THROUGH 4500 FT PRIOR TO LANDING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN WRITTEN UP FOR SLUGGISHNESS AND LACK OF RESPONSE TO THROTTLE UPON ARRIVAL AT MONTGOMERY. MONTGOMERY AVIATION DID SOME MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND MADE A COMMENT ABOUT SUSPECTING FUEL INJECTORS. THEY STATED THEY ADVISED THE PLT OF THE SITUATION BUT NO WRITTEN STATEMENT WAS PROVIDEDTO SUPPORT THIS. EXANIMATION OF THE ACFT WRECKAGE SHOWED WATER IN THE FUEL LINES AND DISTRIBUTOR UNIT. THE PLT SAID HIS PRACTICE WAS TO DRAIN THE SUMPS AFTER REFUELING AND NOT DURING PRE-FLT WHEN HE ONLY 'CHECKS THE FUEL LEVEL.'

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

Contributing Factors

COMPLACENCY..PILOT IN COMMAND
COMPANY-INDUCED PRESSURE..COMPANY/OPERATOR MANAGEMENT

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