Overview
An aircraft crashed during a forced landing after the pilot reported a loss of engine power on final approach. The pilot had initially contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) while on a three-mile final to Runway 15, then reported the power loss and stated he would perform a dead-stick landing. Shortly thereafter, FSS received an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed with approximately 5 gallons of fuel in the left auxiliary tank. After about 20 minutes of flight, which included an en route stop, the pilot was on final approach. He reported his position to FSS from three miles out, then advised of the power loss and his plan for a dead-stick landing. FSS later detected an ELT signal. The aircraft was discovered about three-quarters of a mile from the approach end of Runway 15.
Findings
Inspection of the wreckage revealed the fuel selector was positioned to the left auxiliary tank. That tank had contained 5 gallons at departure, and the aircraft had flown for approximately 20 minutes with an en route stop. The right wing tanks still held the same amount of fuel as at takeoff. The left wing tanks were ruptured.