What happened
The aircraft, a modified Piper PA-12, experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power while in flight. The pilot initiated an attempt to execute an emergency landing; however, the airplane collided with terrain before it could reach a safe location. There were no associated mechanical failures, ignition issues, or carburation anomalies reported at the time of the stoppage.
The investigation
Examination of the incident revealed that the aircraft had been modified with a 160 HP engine. This upgrade required extensive modifications to the fuel system to accommodate the increased power requirements. The investigation noted that the airplane had a documented history of similar sudden engine stoppages without prior mechanical warning.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel starvation. The modified fuel system, necessary for the 160 HP engine upgrade, failed to supply adequate fuel to the engine during the flight phase. This lack of fuel caused the engine to cease operation, leading directly to the collision with terrain during the subsequent emergency landing attempt.