What happened
During the initial climb phase of flight, the engine began running erratically. Recognizing the power loss, the pilot executed standard emergency procedures and initiated a turn back toward the departure airport. While attempting to return, the airplane struck trees and came to rest in an inverted position. The impact resulted in structural damage to the left wing.
Findings
Post-accident examination revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the right tank, which contained no fuel. The left tank held 16 gallons of fuel at the time of the incident. This configuration indicates a failure to ensure adequate fuel supply from the selected source during pre-flight or early climb phases.
Safety message
Pilots must verify that the fuel selector is positioned on a tank containing sufficient fuel before and during flight operations. Mismanagement of fuel sources can lead to immediate power loss, particularly during critical phases like initial climb.