19970827024189A

Lost power and crashed. Investigation underway. Observed low level engine sputtering. (-23) the aircraft had impacted the soybean field at about a 30 degree angle nose down wings were level. The airspeed indicator was stuck at 80 mph. Hobbs meter reading was 54.8 hrs. Voltmeter reading stuck at 10V. The propeller (wooden) was broken off at both blades, one at mid span and one at outer midspan. The cockpit area was severely damaged by the engine assy. Most instruments unreadable at this time. The tail section of the aircraft was broken off at the frame and laying directly behind the engine compartment. The rudder and elevator were not damaged severely and the flight control hinge points were intact and secure. The main wings were damaged to include the struts. Ailerons were intact and hinges secure. There were three fuel tanks, one in each wing and a aux tank just below the engine compartment. The wing tanks had 1/4 fuel l/h and 1/8 fuel r/h. aux tank could not be determined at this time. There was fuel in the line below the inline fuel filter and very little in the filter bowl itself. This line was positio ned below the aux tank. All witness statements reveal that the aircraft was at tree top level or above and one witness statement indicated just above tree top level at about 200 feet. One witness indicated that he heard the engine sputter and then a "boom" he assumed to be the impact. He was in his garage and did not see the aircraft but distinctively heard the noises.