What happened
During the initial climb through 500 feet, the engine lost power after sputtering. The pilot transitioned the aircraft to a best glide pitch and attempted to return to the airport. Following an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot executed a forced landing into a construction site.
The impact with the rough terrain caused the landing gear to shear off. The aircraft sustained structural damage, including a wrinkled fuselage and the left wing being bent upward at the wing root.
The investigation
Investigators examined the fuel levels and the engine fuel system. While initial reports from the pilot varied regarding quantities, salvage personnel recovered 16 gallons of fuel from the right wing and 1 cup of fuel from the left wing.
Mechanical examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and the fuel lines were not compromised. However, investigators found no fuel present in the engine fuel system forward of the fuel selector.