Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the downwind leg of a flight, he directed a pilot-rated passenger in the left seat—who had 1.3 total hours in the make and model—to reposition the fuel selector. The passenger complied, and shortly thereafter the engine ceased operation. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Descent and Collision
During the subsequent descent, the airplane collided with a powerline before crashing onto a building. The aircraft came to rest at the building site.
Post-Crash Investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft after the accident and discovered that the fuel selector valve was in the OFF position. However, the pilot submitted a written report stating that the fuel selector valve had been turned off after the aircraft came to rest. The owner/operator of the aircraft reported that the engine operated normally during a post-crash engine run, indicating no mechanical deficiencies.
Findings
The investigation did not determine a probable cause for the accident. The evidence showed that the fuel selector was set to OFF at the time of the post-crash inspection, but the pilot's written account claimed the valve was turned off after the aircraft had stopped. The engine's normal operation during a subsequent run suggested that the engine itself was functional.