Accident Overview
According to witness accounts, the airplane's engine was heard sputtering on the ground. The aircraft was then observed in what appeared to be a controlled, turning descent before it disappeared from view. The airplane was subsequently located inverted in a hilly pasture, approximately three feet from a fresh ground crater about 12 inches deep.
Wreckage Examination
A thorough examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of malfunction in the airframe, flight controls, or engine. The absence of such findings suggests that these systems were functioning normally at the time of the accident.
Fuel System Findings
Inspection of the fuel pump revealed the presence of some fuel and milky-white water within the pump. White corrosion coated the inside of the pump and screen, and some corrosion was found on the inside of the domed pump top cover. These findings indicate contamination and deterioration within the fuel system.
No other anomalies or failures were identified during the investigation.