Incident Overview
A student pilot, with a certified flight instructor (CFI) onboard, conducted a touch-and-go landing on Runway 31. The student landed long, resulting in a full-stop rollout. After making a 180-degree turn at the end of the runway, the aircraft was positioned for takeoff on Runway 13. Prior to initiating the takeoff, the student pilot reported positioning the fuel selector to the right tank, which was the fullest of the two tanks.
Engine Power Loss
Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power. The CFI instructed the student, who was in the left seat, to switch fuel tanks, which the student did. The CFI then took control of the aircraft and executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the aircraft rolled through a barbed wire fence, collapsing the nose gear.
Fuel Selector Position
After the accident, neither pilot changed the position of the fuel selector. Investigators found the fuel selector in the left 'OFF' position. The fuel selector had four positions: left and right at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, and two OFF positions at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. Either OFF setting could be selected from any other position.
Fuel Quantity
Post-accident examination revealed that the right fuel tank was full, and the left tank contained approximately 1 gallon of fuel. No fuel remained in the engine-driven fuel pump output line.