What happened
The aircraft, N-number not provided in source, was involved in an incident where it collided with the runway surface following a complete failure of engine power. The event occurred during flight operations, leading to a hard landing or impact with the ground.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the mechanical status at the time of the incident. Investigators found that the right fuel tank was completely empty. This finding was critical in establishing the sequence of events leading to the power loss.
Findings
The pilot provided crucial information regarding the fuel state prior to departure, indicating that he had loaded a total of 60 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel into the aircraft. However, the investigation revealed that the pilot had selected the right fuel cell as the source for engine operation approximately 45 minutes before the accident occurred. Since the right tank was empty, this selection resulted in fuel exhaustion, causing the total loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with the runway surface.