What happened
During the initial climbout phase of flight, the aircraft experienced an in-flight loss of engine power. Witnesses observed the aircraft departing to the south with normal acceleration before the engine power failed during a left turn. Following the loss of power, the aircraft was seen low to the ground, heading southeast and turning easterly while maintaining a slight climb or level flight. The aircraft subsequently struck the terrain, resulting in 2 fatalities.
At the time of the accident, the local wind was from 190 degrees at 07 knots. The day prior to the accident, the airplane had been fueled with 58.3 gallons of 100LL.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and found the propeller remained attached to the engine, though both propeller blades exhibited aft bending. Flight control continuity was established, and control continuity to the engine was also verified.
A critical finding involved the fuel selector valve, which was found damaged and in a position between the left and right tanks. Upon disassembly, the internal components of the fuel selector valve were found positioned between the two tanks.
Fuel was present in several locations, including the right tip tank, the fuel selector valve, the fuel line leading to the engine-driven fuel pump, the engine-driven fuel pump itself, and the accelerator pump cylinder of the carburetor. While the electric fuel pump was observed to be functional when power was applied, the engine-driven fuel pump showed no anomalies upon disassembly. A subsequent test run of the engine at full power using the original carburetor and magnetoes revealed no mechanical anomalies.