What happened
A private pilot departed on a planned two-hour flight carrying approximately 20 gallons of fuel in each wing tank. The aircraft was not located until two days later, having crashed into a wooded area and burned upon impact. Analysis of the fuel consumption indicates that the airplane would have used about 19 gallons over the course of the two-hour flight. Upon recovery, the fuel selector valve was found positioned on the left tank. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing exhibited significantly less fire damage compared to the right wing, suggesting the fuel source for the post-crash fire originated from the right tank.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft wreckage and the condition of the fuel system components. No evidence of preexisting failures in the powerplant or airframe was found prior to the accident sequence. The discrepancy in fire damage between the wings, combined with the position of the fuel selector, pointed toward an in-flight fuel starvation event.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot likely failed to account for the total fuel load or switched tanks incorrectly, leading to a loss of engine power. The aircraft continued flying on residual fuel from the right tank before impacting terrain. There were 2 fatal injuries among those aboard.
Safety message
Pilots must accurately calculate fuel requirements and monitor fuel quantities closely during flight. It is critical to ensure that the fuel selector is positioned correctly to draw from the intended tank, especially when operating near the limits of available fuel endurance.