Incident Overview
During a forced landing in a residential area, an aircraft contacted a tree. The forced landing was necessitated by a loss of engine power. The aircraft came to rest after the collision.
Post-Accident Inspection Findings
A post-accident inspection revealed significant fuel system discrepancies. The right fuel tank contained fuel, while the left fuel tank was found dry. The left wing fuel vent was installed backwards. The fuel selector exhibited 15 degrees of movement when a tank was selected. Additionally, the fuel distribution valve, fuel pump, and fuel strainer were all dry.
Engine Testing
Following the accident, the engine was tested with the fuel selector positioned on the right tank. Under this configuration, the engine operated normally.
Conclusion
The investigation documented the findings but did not assign a specific probable cause.