Accident Details
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced a power failure. The pilot reported that when the power loss occurred, he switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and selected "MAX HI-ON" on the fuel boost pump. His attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Pilot Actions
Following the mishap, the pilot checked both fuel tanks. The left tank was empty, and the right tank was partially full. He also stated that on a previous flight that same day, fuel was siphoning from the left tank. The condition alleviated itself when he resecured the fuel cap.
Fuel System Findings
Fuel siphoning usually occurs when the bottom of the fuel bladder is not secured and the bladder collapses upward. This condition can cause erroneous fuel quantity indications.
Manual Considerations
A review of the aircraft flight manual indicated that actuation of the "MAX HI-ON" half of the fuel boost pump switch during engine restart can cause flooding of the intake manifolds.