The pilot, enrolled in a course for a commercial pilot certificate, was scheduled for a solo flight from Seattle to Bremerton, Washington and return. He departed at about 1300 PDT. At about 1635 PDT, residents near the crash site reported that they saw and heard a low flying aircraft circle the area several times, then crash. One witness reported the engine was sputtering as the plane passed over his house. The plane crashed in a wooded area. The left wing was torn from the fuselage, but a witness reported fuel leaking from the left tank. An investigation revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank and the plane had flown 3 to 5 hrs. Based on the flight manual, the plane would have used 21 to 31 gallons of fuel. The capacity of each tank was 24 usable gallons. A toxicological test of the pilot's blood revealed an alcohol level of .303%. The police and medical personnel stated that the pilot's seat belt was not fastened when they arrived at the crash site.