What happened
Shortly after departing the runway, an aircraft was observed by a witness performing a standard initial climb before executing a shallow, 180-degree left bank. The aircraft remained below the cloud layer and subsequently descended into the treeline. During this sequence, tower recordings captured the pilot communicating twice that they were returning to the airport. During the first transmission, the aircraft's "fuel selector off" warning horn was audible in the background. The pilot later stated, "I've got to get back," at which point the warning horn was no longer heard.
The aircraft eventually struck trees and came to a stop approximately 6,500 feet south-southeast of the runway's end. Prior to the flight, the aircraft had been refueled with 40 gallons of Jet A, distributed as 20 gallons per tank, bringing the total fuel load to 148 gallons.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage showed no evidence of mechanical failures occurring prior to the impact. Analysis of the propeller blade signatures indicated that the engine was producing power and operating within the governing range at the time of the collision.
According to the flight manual, the fuel balance between the left and right tanks must be maintained within a 200-pound margin. The manual also suggests that turning off a fuel selector is a method to address an unbalance. The activation of the "fuel selector off" warning horn is a direct result of this specific configuration. The fuel imbalance and subsequent pilot actions appear central to the sequence of events leading to the crash.