Accident Sequence
The accident involved a single-engine airplane that lost engine power during the takeoff and initial climb. The aircraft subsequently struck wires and impacted the terrain.
Witness Observations
Witnesses described the airplane's behavior as losing altitude after takeoff, flying very low, struggling, with low airspeed and low engine rpm. The aircraft was seen yawing to gain altitude, and witnesses noted it was struggling for power and lacked sufficient forward speed to sustain flight, yawing just above a stall. The engine reportedly sounded very flat, had trouble achieving full revolutions, and was cutting out. Witnesses observed the airplane turn left sharply, waver, swerve back and forth, strike a power line, dive down, gain altitude, and then strike a second power line. The airplane then impacted the ground with the left wing and spun around approximately 80 degrees before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
Local authorities reported that the left fuel tank was empty, the right fuel tank was full, and fuel was leaking from the aircraft. They turned off switches in the cockpit and deactivated the Emergency Locator Transmitter. Airport personnel indicated that the fuel tanks were topped the day before the accident with 10.3 gallons, and the accident flight was the first known flight since that refueling. The FAA inspector found no usable fuel in the left wing tank, no fuel on the ground under the left wing, no dead or stained grass, and no strong odor of fuel. The fuel selector was observed to have the left tank selected. The right wing tank was full. The airframe and engine representative confirmed the integrity of the left wing fuel tank and fuel line continuity from all three fuel tanks to the fuel selector valve. The auxiliary fuel tank was full. The fuel pump was rotated and a few drops of fuel were found in the fuel pump lines. No anomalies were found that would have prevented fuel flow through the fuel system.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported no memory of the events before or after the accident. The initial on-scene response by local authorities, airport personnel, and other individuals precluded a determination of the cockpit switch positions, the fuel selector position, and the amount of fuel on board prior to the accident.