What happened
Shortly after takeoff, a passenger reported that the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. Witnesses observed the aircraft performing a left turn before it disappeared from view behind rolling terrain. The airplane subsequently collided with the uphill side of a small hill while in a left wing-low attitude. The surrounding area consisted of flat open fields and rolling hills.
The investigation
An examination of the fuel system revealed that three of the four fuel tanks had ruptured. While the fuel lines leading to the fuel selector were compromised, fuel was present within the fuel selector bowl. The fuel selector was found in the detent for the left auxiliary fuel tank. Investigators determined that although the fuel lines forward of the fuel selector to the engine and carburetor remained intact, no fuel was present forward of the selector. An examination of the engine yielded no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. Additionally, it was determined that the airplane was approximately 381 pounds over its maximum gross weight.