What happened
The flight was conducting a visual approach for final landing when the aircraft touched down on the runway. Immediately after touchdown, the airplane bounced off the surface. The pilot responded by applying power to initiate a go-around maneuver. As the aircraft climbed to approximately 100 feet above ground level over the departure end of the runway, the engine ceased operating. Without power, the aircraft descended rapidly and struck the ground in a small clearing nearby.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed significant discrepancies in fuel quantity and selector position. After the accident, 12 gallons of fuel was drained from the left tank, while only 1-1/2 pints remained in the right tank. The fuel selector switch was found positioned on the right tank setting at the time of impact.
Findings
The primary factors leading to this accident were the pilot's decision to continue the go-around with insufficient fuel and the resulting engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The bounce during landing likely contributed to the sequence of events, but the critical error was the mismanagement of fuel resources. The aircraft type involved was a Cessna 172.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure adequate fuel reserves are available for all phases of flight, including go-arounds. Proper fuel management and verification of tank selection are essential to prevent in-flight engine failures.