20070528013819A

(-23) Airman departed to the east from personal airstrip, according to his spouse, between 1500 and 1530. Aircraft is subsequently discovered 1/4 mile north of the departure end of the runway. The left wing struck the ground first, with the aircraft then cartwheeling into the nose section, and then coming to rest laying on the right side. Aircraft came to rest approximately 45 feet from initial wing strike. Wheat at the crash site was between 2 and 3 feet high. No wheat was disturbed on either side of the left wing entry path--suggest bank angle of at least 80 degrees. Flaps were found in the 3rd notch position, and witness marks on the fuselage confirm this selection. Throttle, prop, and mixture were all found full forward. No appreciable fuel was found in either wing tank. Fuel odor was noted in soil below right tank. Fuel selector found in "both" position. Ultimate fuel kill area measured approximately 3' by 6'. Fueling records compared with flight records indicate that the aircraft experienced only 1.7 flight hours against full fuel tanks prior to the accident. Amended narrative likely to follow. (-23 amendment) airman is believed to have been under additional stress prior to the flight.