What happened
Following departure from the airstrip, witnesses observed the aircraft flying away; when the plane failed to return as expected, concerns were raised regarding its status. Approximately one to two miles from the airport, the pilot reported experiencing an engine failure. In an attempt to land in a nearby field, the pilot struck the top of a tree before the aircraft impacted the ground.
The investigation
The FAA conducted an examination of the wreckage and determined that fuel remained in the tanks. However, investigators noted that the fuel cap for the right fuel tank was missing.
An external inspection of the engine revealed no leaks of oil or fuel. The condition and color of the spark plug insulation and electrodes showed no signs of fouling. While the engine was found to be operating slightly on the lean side, it was running on automotive gasoline. Records indicated the pilot had flown a total of 5 hours in the aircraft over the previous 90 days, including 3 hours within the last 30 days, with no flight time recorded in the 24 hours preceding the accident.