Maintenance and Previous Flights
Following an annual inspection, the pilot chose to replace a fuel cap gasket that had been previously ordered. During the replacement, he observed that the new gasket was not an exact match for the original but considered it acceptable. After replacing the gasket, the pilot refueled the aircraft and conducted several takeoffs and landings without incident. Approximately 30 minutes of flight time elapsed before a passenger boarded the aircraft.
Power Loss and Emergency Landing
Upon takeoff with the passenger on board, the engine lost power during the initial climb. The pilot executed an emergency landing but was unable to stop the aircraft before it struck trees.
Post-Accident Discovery
After the accident, the pilot inspected the aircraft and discovered that the new gasket had blocked the fuel cap vent. He also noted that during the landing sequence, the fuel cap became dislodged enough to allow air to re-enter the tank, causing the engine to restart.