What happened
The aircraft collided with a tree during rollout after executing a forced landing following an engine power loss on final approach. The pilot reported that the engine quit while he was approximately one and a half miles out on final approach at an altitude of 200 feet above ground level. At the time of the failure, the aircraft was being operated from the right main fuel tank.
Upon losing power, the pilot switched to the left fuel tank and operated the wobble pump. The engine restarted briefly but then quit again. The pilot switched back to the right tank and attempted to use the wobble pump once more, but the engine would not restart. A forced landing was subsequently executed.
The investigation
A post-accident examination conducted by the owner revealed significant discrepancies in fuel levels. The left main fuel tank was found to be half full, while the right main tank was empty. Additionally, the right tip tank contained approximately 12 gallons of fuel.
During post-accident testing, the wobble pump failed to produce pressure on the first attempt. However, on the second try, it produced normal pressure, and the engine operated normally. Both electric fuel transfer pumps were also found to operate normally.
Findings
The investigation determined that fuel exhaustion was the primary factor in the incident. The pilot's failure to monitor fuel quantity and ensure adequate supply from the selected tank led to the loss of engine power. The inability to restart the engine during the critical phase of flight resulted in the forced landing.
Safety message
Pilots should regularly monitor fuel quantities and ensure that the selected fuel tank contains sufficient fuel for the duration of the flight. Proper fuel management practices are essential to prevent fuel exhaustion incidents.