Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane descend below the traffic pattern altitude. They heard the engine surge as the airplane descended. The airplane then came through a tree line in a nose-high attitude, rolled inverted, and subsequently crashed.
Examination and Testing
Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks. Additionally, no fuel was found on the ground, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage. The engine was removed and tested, during which it ran satisfactorily, indicating no mechanical malfunction.
Fuel System Findings
Records indicated that the airplane had been topped off approximately 1.8 hours prior to the accident. The airplane had been tied down outside, and a fuel theft had been reported at the same airport a few days before the accident.