What happened
The flight began with takeoff and an initial climb to 7,000 feet utilizing the left fuel tank. Shortly after leveling off, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right tank and maintained this configuration during the early phase of cruise flight. The pilot later switched back to the left fuel tank. Approximately ten minutes after this change, the engine began to lose power. Instrument readings appeared normal at the time.
The pilot contacted Cleveland Center and declared an emergency. The transponder was set to 7700, and the aircraft was positioned for a descent. Instructions were received to proceed to the nearest airport. While descending through undercast conditions, the left wing struck the tops of trees. The aircraft then rolled to the left, impacted the ground, and came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
A mechanical examination of the engine and fuel system was conducted following the accident. Investigators found no evidence or anomalies that would explain the partial loss of power experienced during flight. The components appeared consistent with normal operation.