What happened
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft suffered a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot immediately switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank and engaged the fuel boost pump to the "MAX HI-ON" position. Despite these efforts, attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
After the incident, the pilot inspected the fuel tanks and found the left tank empty while the right tank contained some fuel. He noted that on a previous flight that day, fuel had been siphoning from the left tank, a condition that resolved itself after he resecured the fuel cap.
The investigation
An analysis of the situation revealed that fuel siphoning typically occurs when the bottom of the fuel bladder is not secured, allowing it to collapse upward. This mechanical issue can lead to erroneous fuel quantity indications, misleading the pilot about available fuel levels.
Furthermore, a review of the aircraft flight manual indicated that actuating the "MAX HI-ON" half of the fuel boost pump switch during an engine restart can cause flooding of the intake manifolds. This procedural error likely prevented the engine from restarting after the initial power loss.