What happened
The aircraft was operated as part of an airshow presentation flown by its owner. Following the landing, the aircraft was shut down and refueled. To facilitate the departure of the owner's son, who was a student pilot, both the refueling process and the subsequent preflight inspection were conducted rapidly to allow him to leave the airport ahead of the remaining crowd.
Approximately three minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of about 1,000 feet, the engine ceased operation. The student pilot subsequently landed the aircraft in a cornfield. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
A post-accident examination was conducted by the owner of the aircraft. This inspection revealed that the specific configuration of the fuel valve left only approximately one-half gallon of fuel in the header tank available for engine operation. This insufficient fuel supply was the primary mechanical factor contributing to the loss of power.
Findings
The student pilot did not attempt to correct the fuel valve position during the descent following the engine failure. The rapid pace of the refueling and preflight procedures likely contributed to the oversight regarding the fuel valve setting. Fuel exhaustion was the direct result of the inadequate fuel supply in the header tank.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that all fuel system components, particularly valves, are correctly positioned after refueling. Rushing preflight inspections can lead to critical oversights. Adequate time should always be taken to verify fuel availability and valve settings before flight.