Accident Overview
A personal flight experienced a loss of engine power while several miles from its destination airport in Camden, South Carolina. The pilot attempted to restore engine power, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently collided with and became lodged in the tops of trees approximately three miles short of the runway at Woodward Field in South Carolina.
Aircraft Damage
Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed extensive damage to the wings. The left inboard wing and flap were bent downward, the inboard leading edge of the left wing was bent, and the tip of the left wing was broken off. On the right side, the outboard leading edge was crushed and the tip was broken upward. Additionally, the nose cowling and engine mounts were bent.
Investigation Findings
During the wreckage recovery operation, no fuel was recovered from the fuel system. A post-accident investigation of the engine found no anomalies, indicating no pre-existing mechanical issues with the engine itself.