What happened
The aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff. The pilot made a decision to attempt a return to the departure airport. During the approach phase, specifically while on short final, the aircraft struck overhead power lines. This impact resulted in a loss of control, causing the aircraft to crash into a nearby railroad embankment.
The investigation
A flight instructor arrived at the accident site approximately one minute after the collision occurred. Upon inspection of the cockpit, the instructor observed that the fuel selector lever was positioned over an empty tank. Usable fuel remained available in the other wing tank, indicating the pilot had not switched to the correct source.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion due to improper fuel management. The aircraft struck power lines during the final approach, which led directly to the loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.