Accident Narrative
A witness observed the airplane depart to the north and climb to about 500 feet. The airplane then made a steep left 90-degree bank back toward the runway in a slight nose-down attitude. The nose and wings momentarily leveled, but the airplane then appeared to "mush/drop" down in a flat, slight nose-down attitude until it disappeared from view.
Witness Observations
Two hunters nearby reported seeing the airplane at treetop level, circling. They stated the engine sounded like it was shutting down and then quit. They heard a sound consistent with an attempt to restart the engine. The hunters then lost sight of the airplane and heard it collide with the ground, followed by smoke rising above the trees.
Wreckage and Fuel Examination
Examination of the crash site revealed the fuselage forward of the vertical stabilizer was destroyed by fire except for the outer third of both wings. The right main fuel tank had been ruptured and sustained fire damage. The left main fuel tank was not ruptured, but external fire damage was present. The left fuel cap was removed, and no fuel was present; the interior of the tank was shiny. The fuel selector valve was functionally checked and showed no anomalies. The left wing fuel sump was opened and contained no fuel. The left and right fuel selector knobs were located in the wreckage, with the fuel selector handle positioned on the right main fuel tank.
Operational and Fuel Data
Witnesses who were present when the pilot departed stated the airplane had been topped off with 70.2 gallons of low lead fuel earlier that day. The pilot had flown five flights after refueling, totaling 1 hour and 25 minutes before the accident. Review of Pratt & Whitney 1340-AN-1 engine operational data indicates the engine burns 35 to 40 gallons of fuel per hour at cruise power settings and up to 70 gallons per hour at maximum takeoff power.