Incident Overview
A student pilot was conducting his first solo cross-country flight. Shortly after leveling off on the second leg of the flight, the engine lost power and could not be restarted. As the student maneuvered to land in a field, the aircraft's left wing struck a treetop, after which the aircraft crashed to the ground.
Investigation Findings
An investigation into the incident was conducted. It was determined that the fuel system was contaminated with debris originating from the deteriorating carburetor accelerator pump. Additionally, a fuel sample was taken for analysis. The analysis revealed that the fuel was a mixture of aviation gasoline (avgas) and automotive gasoline.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot had successfully completed the first leg of his solo cross-country flight. After taking off for the second leg and leveling off at cruising altitude, the engine suddenly lost power. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The student then selected a field for an emergency landing. During the approach, the left wing contacted a treetop, causing the aircraft to crash.
Contributing Conditions
The deterioration of the carburetor accelerator pump led to debris entering the fuel system. The presence of automotive gasoline in the fuel mixture may have contributed to the deterioration, though this relationship is not explicitly stated in the investigation findings. The investigation did not specify the type of aircraft, its registration, or the number of engines. No information regarding the time of day, weather conditions, or air traffic control involvement was provided.
Conclusion
The accident was caused by a loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination. The contamination resulted from debris from the deteriorating carburetor accelerator pump. The fuel was also found to be a mixture of avgas and automotive gasoline.