Incident Summary
After a brief local flight, the pilot turned back toward the airport to reenter the traffic pattern. As he neared the airport, he reported a complete loss of engine power. Because of his position and altitude, he chose to make a downwind landing on Runway 30. The pilot estimated the wind as out of 140 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. He overshot the runway and made a hard landing in a bean field.
Engine Examination
A post-accident engine run-up revealed that the engine was capable of normal operation. The pilot reported that he and his instructor had aborted a flight earlier in the day of the accident because the engine failed during the takeoff roll. They attributed that engine failure to vapor lock.
Fuel and Weather
The airplane was fueled with automobile gas. At the time of the accident, the temperature was estimated to be more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Probable Cause
Not stated in the source.