What happened
During the takeoff phase, the aircraft climbed away from the runway and reached an altitude of approximately 800 feet above ground level. At this point, the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. The aircraft was located roughly one and a half miles from the departure end of the runway when the failure occurred.
Attempting to recover, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft passing beneath overhead power lines just before it made contact with a fence. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the wreckage was conducted alongside interviews with the pilot. These inquiries focused on the mechanical status of the aircraft and the operational decisions made prior to the incident. The physical evidence and pilot statements aligned regarding the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in this accident was fuel starvation. Specifically, the fuel selector valve was positioned on the wrong tank at the time of the power loss. This misconfiguration prevented fuel from reaching the engine, causing the total failure of power during the critical initial climb phase.
The flight was conducted under dark night VFR conditions, which likely complicated situational awareness and emergency maneuvering options for the pilot. The combination of mechanical error and environmental factors contributed to the inability to complete the takeoff safely.