Accident Details
Shortly after takeoff, with the fuel selector positioned to the right tank, the engine quit at an altitude of approximately 250 feet. The pilot force-landed the aircraft in an intercoastal waterway with the landing gear extended.
Investigation Findings
Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. The fuel exhaustion occurred after the right wing fuel tank collapsed, which forced fuel out through the tank filler cap.
According to the aircraft logbooks, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 68-13-03 had not been accomplished. This AD is designed to prevent fuel exhaustion caused by fuel cell collapse and loss of fuel through the tank filler caps.