Incident
A pilot had just purchased an aircraft and was on a delivery flight from Arizona to Georgia. After landing at an airport for a fuel stop, the pilot topped the fuel tank and took off. According to the pilot, after attaining about 100 feet above ground level, the engine power level suddenly reduced to idle. The pilot stated that insufficient altitude remained to affect a landing, and the aircraft collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude.
Investigation
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the aircraft and found no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction. The fuel selector is an 'on' or 'off' valve without detents. One quarter of a turn (90 degrees) of the valve represents the total motion between settings. The valve handle was found approximately 15 degrees from the full on position.
Fuel Selector
The previous aircraft owner stated that the fuel valve is very sensitive to being in an intermediate setting. He noted that if the valve were in anything but the full on position, the engine would not run.