Accident Summary
A pilot conducted a preflight inspection by checking the fuel tanks with a stick and found approximately 2 inches of fuel in the right main fuel tank. The airplane had recently been released from maintenance for inoperative fuel gauges. The pilot had returned to his home airport, landed, and intended to take off again. Due to wind conditions, he taxied to a different runway. Shortly after takeoff, at a low altitude, the pilot realized the rear engine had failed. The airplane began to stall, and the pilot determined there was insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff. He elected to perform a forced landing, and the airplane came to rest in a pond.
Investigation Findings
During the post-accident examination, the fuel selector for the rear engine was found positioned on the right main tank. The investigation noted that a Cessna service letter and an airworthiness directive (AD) had been issued for this type of airplane, specifying an operational procedure to lead with the rear engine while taxiing and during takeoff to more clearly recognize a rear engine failure. The pilot's statement did not indicate that he had complied with either the service letter or the AD.
Probable Cause
The source does not provide an explicit probable cause statement.