What happened
The aircraft was established on final approach when the engine ceased producing power. Without sufficient altitude or airspeed to recover, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 80 feet short of the runway threshold. The impact occurred on a dirt service road adjacent to the airport environment.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airframe and propulsion system revealed critical discrepancies in the fuel supply. Inspection of the left wing fuel tank indicated that it contained approximately 6 to 8 gallons of usable fuel remaining. In contrast, the right wing fuel tank was found to be completely empty.
Findings
The pilot reported that at the moment the engine quit, the fuel selector valve was positioned over the right fuel tank. This configuration meant that despite fuel remaining in the left tank, the engine was drawing from an empty source. The primary causal factor was fuel exhaustion resulting from the selection of the wrong fuel tank during the approach phase.
Safety message
Pilots must verify fuel quantity and selector position frequently, especially during high-workload phases like final approach. Relying on visual fuel gauges alone can be misleading; cross-checking with physical inspection or known consumption rates is essential to prevent fuel exhaustion.