What happened
During the initial climbout phase of flight, the pilot experienced a developing loss of engine power. This loss of power prevented the pilot from maintaining both altitude and airspeed. In response to the deteriorating flight conditions, the pilot performed a forced landing in a cornfield. Following the impact, the aircraft underwent a nose-over maneuver and came to rest in an inverted position. The pilot did not jettison the aircraft's load during the sequence of events leading to the accident.
The investigation
An examination of the engine was conducted to identify potential mechanical failures. Investigators found evidence of a leak within the engine-driven fuel pump. However, subsequent bench testing determined that this leak did not interfere with the delivery of positive fuel pressure to the cylinders. No other anomalies were identified during the engine examination.