What happened
Shortly after departing from the airport, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of engine power while climbing through approximately 300 feet above the runway. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and initiated an emergency forced landing procedure. During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered a ditch on the ground, which resulted in significant damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Examination of the incident revealed that the engine had ceased producing power due to fuel starvation. At the time of the accident, the aircraft contained approximately 45 gallons of fuel available for use. The pilot admitted that he failed to switch the fuel selector to a tank containing sufficient fuel to continue the flight.
Findings
The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to manage the fuel supply correctly during the climb phase. Additionally, regulatory compliance issues were identified regarding the pilot's qualifications. The pilot's medical certificate had expired, and his biennial flight review was also no longer valid at the time of the operation.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that fuel quantities are adequate for the planned flight and that all necessary tanks are selected prior to takeoff. Furthermore, maintaining current medical certification and completing required flight reviews is essential for legal and safe operation.