Incident Overview
During a multi-leg flight, a pilot faced difficulties with the right fuel selector. According to the pilot, he was informed that the right auxiliary fuel pump was inoperative and that to prime and start the right engine, he had to position the right fuel selector to cross-feed. On the first two legs, he used this procedure but noted that the right fuel selector was hard to move.
Maintenance and Decision
While starting for the third leg, the pilot was unable to move the right fuel selector to cross-feed. He obtained assistance from a mechanic, who manually repositioned the selector in the wing. The mechanic recommended repairing the aircraft before further flight. However, the pilot decided to leave the right selector in cross-feed and continue with the flight.
In-Flight Fuel Situation
During the flight, both engines consumed fuel from the left side. During descent, both engines lost power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing on uneven terrain, and the landing gear collapsed after crossing a depression.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination revealed that the left main and left auxiliary tanks were at or near empty. The nacelle tank and right auxiliary tank were full, and the right main tank was ruptured. The pilot was unaware that he could have cross-fed fuel from the right tanks to the left engine. Additionally, the fuel system design required that fuel from the nacelle tank be transferred to the main tank before use. Unused fuel and vapor from the engines were routed to the respective main tanks.