What happened
The accident occurred during the second takeoff phase near the middle of the runway. At an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (AGL), the engine quit unexpectedly. The pilot immediately attempted to restart the engine, but this action consumed the critical time needed to execute a safe landing on the remaining portion of the runway. Consequently, the aircraft descended into an adjoining soybean field.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed significant discrepancies in fuel distribution and system integrity. The left fuel tank was found to be completely empty. In contrast, the right fuel tank contained approximately three-quarters of its capacity. The fuel selector switch was discovered in the position directing flow to the right engine.
Findings
A thorough inspection determined that no fuel was present in the system from the firewall forward. This absence of fuel supply to the engine components confirms that the power loss was not due to mechanical failure but rather a lack of propellant delivery. The pilot's decision to attempt an in-flight restart, rather than utilizing the remaining runway for a forced landing, resulted in the collision with terrain.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure adequate fuel quantity and proper selector positioning before takeoff. In the event of an engine failure during the initial climb-out, immediate priority should be given to utilizing available runway length for a safe landing rather than attempting complex restart procedures that may exceed critical altitude thresholds.