Incident Overview
An aircraft executed a forced landing and collided with a ditch after losing engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot reported that he switched the fuel selector from the left to the right tank, and approximately three minutes later, a total loss of power occurred. Repeated attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Pilot Account
Following the power loss, the pilot noted that fuel pressure dropped off. When the auxiliary fuel pump was activated, there was no fuel pressure indication.
Post-Accident Inspection
Examination of the aircraft after the accident disclosed no mechanical failure or malfunction. The right main fuel tank contained six and a half inches of fuel, while the left main tank held one and a quarter inches. Both main tanks were placarded with a capacity of 19 gallons. The left and right auxiliary tanks were empty.