Piper PA18 accident near Hood River, Oregon, September 6, 2019

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

Witnesses observed the airplane takeoff, and one witness noted its nose-high attitude during takeoff. They then heard the engine lose power. The airplane subsequently pitched down and began a rotation to the right before impacting the ground just north of the runway. First responders reported that the fuel selector valve was found in the OFF position when they arrived at the accident site, and they also noted fuel leaking from the airplane. Further examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector indicator plate displayed a red witness mark adjacent to the fuel selector pointer under one of the OFF-indicator marks, which is an indication the selector was in the OFF position at the time of impact. No evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified that would have precluded normal operation. Because the engine lost power during takeoff, it is possible that there was enough residual fuel in the fuel lines to start the engine and taxi to the runway, even with the selector in the OFF position. The private pilot was seated in the front seat and the certified flight instructor was seated in the rear seat. The fuel selector was located on the left cabin wall closest to the private pilot; it is likely the private pilot failed to check the position before takeoff. When the airplane departed, it was about 21 pounds over the maximum takeoff weight. An increase in the airplane’s weight would have an adverse effect on stability and controllability. Because the airplane was already in a nose-high attitude when the engine lost power, the airplane likely stalled. The increased weight and low altitude when the power loss occurred prevented the pilots from recovering. Postmortem toxicology testing detected quinine in the certified flight instructor’s blood and urine at a level that was not quantified; therefore, the amount detected was likely from a tonic drink containing quinine rather than ingestion of the drug and would not have been impairing.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.