What happened
The aircraft was operating within the traffic pattern at Bolivar Airport when the engine ceased functioning. Prior to this event, the pilot had logged approximately 4.0 hours of flight time and estimated that there were about 6.4 gallons of fuel remaining for the flight.
During the subsequent landing attempt, the aircraft collided with a tree. The wreckage examination revealed no evidence of system malfunctions or component failures that would explain the engine stoppage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage to determine the cause of the engine failure. The examination failed to disclose any system malfunction or component failure. The pilot's fuel estimate and flight time were noted as part of the factual record.
Findings
The primary finding was that the aircraft collided with a tree during the landing phase. The engine quit while the aircraft was in the traffic pattern. No mechanical cause for the engine failure was identified through the wreckage examination.