Event Summary
During a local personal flight, the airplane suffered a total loss of engine power. The pilot subsequently maneuvered the aircraft through several turns in an effort to locate a suitable area for an off-airport landing. While executing a sharp 90-degree turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the pilot had improperly positioned the fuel selector valve to the left fuel tank. The left tank was found to contain no fuel, whereas the right tank was nearly full of fuel. The fuel starvation resulted from the selector being on the empty tank.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the pilot's improper selection of the fuel selector valve to the left tank, which contained no fuel, led to fuel starvation and subsequent power loss. The loss of power necessitated a forced landing, during which the pilot executed a turn that precipitated a stall.