Accident Description
The pilot reported that the airplane was in a climb after takeoff at an altitude of approximately 1900 feet mean sea level when the engine began to sputter and lose power. The pilot changed fuel tanks and turned on the fuel pump. Subsequently, the engine lost total power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a valley. During the forced landing, the airplane's left wing collided with terrain, followed by the tail and fuselage. After the aircraft came to rest, a post-crash fire destroyed the fuselage.
Engine Examination
The engine was removed for examination. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety inspector supervised the examination. According to the inspector's report, no pre-existing deficiencies were noted during the examination. The examination did not reveal a reason for the reported engine power loss.
Aftermath and Investigation
The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the collision and post-crash fire. The investigation focused on the pilot's actions and the engine examination. The FAA inspector documented that the engine and its components showed no anomalies that could account for the loss of power. No further analysis was provided in the official source.