"Which makes me wonder if the pilot in this case missed some part of a checklist..."

One of my father's pilot friends said one of the most common (at the time, anyway) causes of engine failure was the failure of the pilot to drain a cupful of fuel out of the tank before taking off. If any moisture had accumulated in the tank, it would be in that cupful, as it was drained from the lowest point of the tank and water is heavier than fuel. The same thing will happen to a plane that happens to a car when there's water in the gas. Some pilots will panic when the engine dies, instead of gliding it to a landing. In the fog, of course, you've got visibility problems. Plus, which way is up?

Sue