Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, he did not visually check the fuel tanks but relied on the fuel gauges. The gauges indicated 7 gallons in the left tank and 4 gallons in the right tank. The pilot took off using fuel from the left tank to practice touch-and-go landings. A short time later, he switched to the right tank. While taking off from the second touch-and-go landing, the engine lost power at approximately 400 feet above ground level.
Emergency Landing
The pilot attempted to switch back to the left tank but made an emergency landing with the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. The aircraft came to rest upright in a drainage ditch. During the landing rollout, the aircraft entered heavy brush, and the pilot reported he was not aware of the ditch's location.
Post-Incident Fuel Assessment
After the incident, 4 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank, but no fuel was found in the right tank.
Investigation Notes
The investigation did not specify a probable cause. The pilot's reliance on fuel gauges without visual verification and the subsequent fuel exhaustion in the right tank are documented facts.