20120726016359A

The pilot was finishing the day of banner towing, and was planning to drop the banner, then enter the traffic pattern to return for a landing. After dropping the banner, the pilot started the climb back to traffic pattern altitude. As the aircraft pitched up, and full power was added, the engine hesitated, then returned to normal. As the pilot started a climbing left turn toward the downwind leg, the engine quit. The pilot then made a right turn back toward landing strip in an attempt to land, but not enough altitude was available, and the aircraft landed in the trees. The aircraft was stuck in the trees about 70 feet in height. Eventually the owner used a tree service to clear the area, and lower the aircraft to be examined. Upon examination at the site, it was observed that the aircraft received substantial damage to the engine area on the left side. The firewall was bent. Some damage to the inner leading edge of both wings. The propeller was broken off at the flange on the engine crank. Fuel tanks were not breached. Fuel recovered from the left wing tank was less than two (2) gallons. The right wing tank was empty. The aircraft was then brought back to the operator's hangar for further examination. Compression check results were:#1 75/80,#2 79/80, #3 65/80, #4 79/80.mixture, carb heat, throttle cables were all continuous. Carburetor fuel screen was clear of any blockage. Tachometer time showed 794.9. Engine was recently overhauled. There doesn't seem to be any mechanical issues with the aircraft. Fuel at the operator's fuel tanks on the field, where the aircraft last received fuel, was checked for water/ contamination. No water/contamination noted.