Accident Details
The aircraft was on a local fire patrol flight when the engine lost power. It was the second flight of the day; the pilot had refueled the aircraft before the first flight. For each flight, the fuel selector was set to the BOTH position. Approximately two hours into the second flight, the engine began to lose power. At that time, the left fuel tank gauge indicated three-quarters full, while the right tank gauge indicated empty.
Emergency Landing
The pilot attempted to restart the engine, including switching the fuel selector to the left tank at an altitude of about 100 feet above the ground. The restart attempts were unsuccessful. During the subsequent forced landing, the aircraft struck a utility pole and then collided with the ground in a grass field.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the left fuel tank was three-quarters full and the right fuel tank was empty. The fuel selector was found in the LEFT tank position.