Fuel starvation
A 260 HP cherokee six has enough fuel in the carburettor to get airbourne. If the selected tank is empty, the engine quits shortly after becoming airbourne. (I know this) If you have a long taxi to the runway, it will probably quit before takeoff. We used to take advantage of the fuel in the carburettor (when cruising at height) to give us time to change tanks when we emptied one. (the 260 hp machines had a fuel pressure guage which would tell you exactly when the tank was empty) and you could change tanks after that with no interuption to the power.
The 300 hp models are fuel injected, and will quit quickly if you select an empty tank, or run one dry.
I never heard of any problems with power interuptions after a quick 180 degree turn although this is possible, and quick turns immediately before takeoff are not good practise.
This is not meant to be criticism of the aircraft or personell involved in the Brampton Island incident.