What happened
While on a two-mile final approach for runway 31R at Reid-Hillview Airport, the aircraft experienced a total loss of power. This engine failure necessitated an emergency procedure, and the pilot attempted a forced landing in a field located near the airport. During this attempt, the aircraft collided with the terrain.
The investigation
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the aircraft at the accident site. Their inspection revealed that the auxiliary fuel tanks were either dry or nearly empty. Additionally, the right main fuel tank contained no fuel, while the left tank was approximately one-quarter full. Investigators noted that the fuel selector valve was positioned to the right main fuel tank. To further evaluate the engine, FAA inspectors conducted a supervised test run. During this operation, the engine started easily and functioned normally across its entire normal power range.