Incident Overview
Approximately 6 miles from the pilot's home airport, the airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power. During the subsequent approach to a landing, the aircraft struck trees.
Witness Account
A witness reported observing the airplane gliding very quietly, with its propeller barely turning, "as if only from the wind." The witness indicated that the airplane "skipped off the ground once, as if trying to land, and then lifted back into the air again." Subsequently, the airplane came back down and crashed into a grove of trees.
Accident Location and Site Evidence
The accident site was located about 6 miles from the pilot's destination airport. Examination of the ground around the crashed airplane revealed no evidence of fuel spillage. Between 10 and 15 drops of fuel were found in the fuel lines.
Engine Examination
No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions was observed during the examination of the engine.