Accident Overview
Approximately forty minutes into the flight, while the aircraft was at an altitude of 8,000 feet above the terrain, the engine failed. The failure occurred immediately after the pilot changed the fuel selector from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank.
Emergency Response
The pilot and the certified flight instructor (CFI) passenger did not use the emergency checklist. They were unable to restart the engine, and the aircraft subsequently landed in an apple orchard.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of any fuel in the left fuel tank. The engine was tested during the examination and operated normally, indicating no mechanical malfunction.
Conclusion
The engine failure was directly associated with the fuel selector change to an empty left tank. The failure to perform the emergency checklist precluded a possible engine restart.