Incident Overview
An aircraft departed from an airport for a local area flight with the purpose of dropping two skydivers. After the parachutists exited the aircraft, the pilot initiated an approach for landing. During this approach, a total loss of engine power occurred. The airplane subsequently collided with 60-foot-high pine trees located approximately half a mile from the approach end of the runway.
Investigation Findings
A subsequent investigation into the incident revealed several fuel-related issues. The left fuel tank was found to be empty, while the right tank contained approximately 11 gallons of fuel. Additionally, the fuel selector handle was missing from its usual position.
The absence of the fuel selector handle and the imbalance of fuel between the tanks indicate potential fuel management challenges. However, the investigation did not explicitly state a causal relationship between these findings and the power loss.
Conclusion
No official determination of probable cause was provided in the source material. The aircraft experienced a total loss of power on approach following a skydiving operation and impacted trees near the runway. The post-incident examination documented the fuel state and the missing selector handle.