What happened
Shortly after departing the airstrip, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. A witness observed the takeoff and noted that when the airplane reached approximately 800 feet above ground level, the engine began to sputter. The pilot initiated a left turn in an attempt to return to the runway. During this maneuver, the engine stopped completely and the aircraft's bank angle increased. As the turn continued, airspeed decreased and the left wing lost lift, causing the airplane to stall into the ground with a vertical nose impact. A post-impact fire destroyed the wreckage.
Prior to the flight, the pilot had spoken with a neighbor regarding ongoing difficulties with the airplane. The pilot had been performing maintenance and noted that the engine had been running rough, which he attributed to either water in the fuel system or a carburetor issue.
The investigation
The wreckage was thermally destroyed by the post-impact fire. Investigators found no mechanical discrepancies within the remains of the aircraft.