Accident Details
The accident occurred while the airplane was in cruise flight at an altitude of 7,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). A loss of engine power prompted the pilot to take immediate corrective actions. The subsequent forced landing resulted in the airplane coming to rest inverted, after pitching forward on the nose wheel and left wingtip during rollout on soft terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the impact and inversion.
Pilot Actions
Upon recognition of the power loss, the pilot switched the fuel selector from the left main tank to the right main tank and attempted an engine restart. These efforts were unsuccessful, leading the pilot to commit to a forced landing. The landing was executed on soft terrain, but during the rollout, the airplane pitched forward and inverted.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, the fuel system was examined. The left auxiliary tank and the right main tank contained fuel, while the left main tank was found empty. Tests conducted on the fuel system affirmed that fuel transfer and engine operation were functional. No mechanical discrepancy was discovered that could account for the power loss.
Fuel and Mechanical Findings
The investigation included tests to verify fuel system integrity and engine operability. The results confirmed that both fuel transfer and engine operation were normal. The absence of any mechanical discrepancy indicates that the cause of the power loss remains undetermined based on the available evidence.