On September 2, 1982, an American AA-1A (registration N9410L) operated by Charles M. Woods was involved in an aviation accident near Paulsbo, WA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After a practice forced landing approach, during climb the engine lost power. An actual forced landing in a wooded area resulted in aircraft damage. Fuel examination revealed no fuel in engine lines or carburetor.
Incident Sequence
During a flight, the pilot demonstrated a practice forced landing approach. Shortly after initiating a climb following the approach, the engine lost power. The aircraft subsequently made an actual forced landing in a wooded area. During the landing, the aircraft struck trees, sustaining damage that rendered it beyond economical repair.
Fuel Examination
Post-incident examination of the aircraft's fuel system revealed a small amount of residual fuel in the left wing tank. The right wing tank was ruptured due to impact forces. No fuel was found in the engine lines or the carburetor.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that after the engine lost power, he changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank. He also stated that approximately five minutes prior to the power loss, the right fuel gauge indicated the tank was about one-quarter full.