What happened
During the pre-flight procedures for a flight demonstration, the pilot was conducting an engine runup to showcase the aircraft's fuel system capabilities. In a critical error, the pilot mistakenly left the fuel selector valve positioned on the fuselage auxiliary tank. This specific tank contained only a small amount of fuel, insufficient for the subsequent phase of flight.
As the aircraft lifted off from the runway, the engine quit due to fuel starvation. The pilot immediately attempted to correct the situation by moving the fuel selector to the left main tank, which was approximately half full. However, in his haste to restore power, the pilot overshot the mechanical detent for that position. Consequently, the engine failed to restart, and the aircraft landed gear-up in a corn field.
The investigation
The examination of the event focused on the sequence of fuel system management during the critical takeoff phase. The investigation confirmed that the auxiliary tank was nearly empty at the time of the demonstration. It also verified that the left main tank had adequate fuel reserves, but the selector valve was not properly engaged in the correct position due to the pilot's hurried action.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion caused by improper fuel system management. The pilot's failure to ensure the fuel selector was on a tank with adequate fuel during runup, combined with an incorrect selection of the main tank after engine failure, left no viable fuel source for the engine. This sequence resulted in a forced landing with the landing gear retracted.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that fuel quantities are verified and selectors are properly positioned before takeoff. During demonstrations or complex maneuvers, extra caution is required to avoid selector mismanagement, especially when transitioning between tanks under time pressure.