Incident Overview
A pilot conducting touch-and-go landings experienced a loss of engine power while turning downwind in the traffic pattern. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot selected an emergency landing area between a tree line and a mobile home park, and the airplane touched down in the open portion of that area.
Post-Accident Examination
A field examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank contained a large quantity of fuel, but the right tank was empty. The fuel selector was found positioned on the right tank. Continuity between the fuel selector and the engine was established, and no fuel was discovered in the fuel system components. The engine was subsequently placed on a test stand and operated up to 2,400 rpm without difficulty. Examination of the wreckage failed to disclose any mechanical malfunction or component failure.
Findings
No mechanical issues or component failures were identified. The fuel system examination indicated that the engine was likely starved of fuel due to the fuel selector being on the empty right tank while the left tank contained ample fuel.