Accident Overview
After takeoff, the airplane was climbing through 3,000 feet when the engine experienced a complete power loss. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, leading to the decision to execute a forced landing to an open area adjacent to a football field.
Forced Landing and Collision
During the approach on short final, the airplane struck a tree, resulting in a loss of control. The subsequent impact ended the forced landing attempt.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed contamination in the fuel system consisting of dirt, water, and paint chips. Further inspection of the carburetor disclosed additional contamination as well as several misadjustments to the mixture settings. Records indicated no history of the carburetor having been overhauled or adjusted.
Conclusion
The investigation documented the presence of fuel contamination and carburetor misadjustments, but no causal factors were explicitly stated in the source.