Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot were forced to execute an emergency landing in a residential area after experiencing an engine failure during a training flight. The aircraft made a successful landing with no further incidents reported.
Engine and Fuel System Examination
A comprehensive examination of the engine was conducted following the incident. The inspection found no mechanical malfunctions or failures. Investigators also examined the fuel system. The fuel tanks were inspected, revealing that the left tank contained fuel, while the right tank was empty. No other anomalies were identified that could have contributed to an engine failure.
Flight Instructor Statement
The flight instructor reported that the engine ceased operation in-flight shortly after switching fuel tanks. This statement aligns with the findings from the fuel tank inspection, which indicated an imbalance in fuel distribution between the two tanks.
Conclusion
The investigation determined that the engine failure was not due to any mechanical defect. The lack of fuel in the right tank, combined with the timing of the fuel tank switch, suggests that fuel starvation may have been the cause, though no explicit conclusion was drawn in the official report.