What happened
Immediately following the takeoff phase, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of engine power. At the time of the incident, the airplane had 170 gallons of fuel on board.
The investigation
During the post-accident examination, the pilot reported that the routing and length of the fuel selector cable were questionable. He noted that the cable was old and suggested it might not have been set correctly, potentially preventing fuel from reaching the engine despite the available quantity.
To verify the mechanical integrity of the powerplant, the engine was removed and placed on a test stand. During this evaluation, the engine started and operated normally, indicating that the failure was likely related to fuel delivery rather than an internal mechanical malfunction.
Findings
The investigation highlighted issues with the fuel selector cable configuration. The pilot's statement regarding the questionable routing and age of the cable points to a potential setup error or wear that impeded proper fuel flow during the critical takeoff phase.