Accident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff and during cruise flight, the engine lost power. The fuel pressure gauge indicated zero psi. The pilot turned on the electric fuel pump, but the engine did not respond. The pilot then activated the auxiliary (wobble) pump and switched fuel tanks. The engine still did not respond. The pilot made a distress call and executed a wheels-up landing in a wheat field.
Post-Accident Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that the left main and auxiliary fuel tanks were full, and the right main tank was three-quarters full. However, there was no fuel in the carburetor, engine-driven fuel pump, electric fuel pump, or fuel lines. The wobble pump was disassembled for inspection. Fuel was evident on the intake side of the pump but absent on the discharge side. Scratches were noted on the bottom of the pump piston.
Fuel System Findings
Further examination of the fuel system components found that the fuel selector disengagement warning light bulb was burned out. When the bulb was replaced, it illuminated immediately, indicating a potential issue with the fuel selector position or wiring. The lack of fuel in the entire fuel delivery system, despite full tanks, points to a blockage or mechanical failure in the fuel path, with the wobble pump showing signs of internal damage.