Accident Description
The airplane collided with the ground after takeoff at a distance of approximately three-quarters of a mile from the departure end of the runway. Subsequent examination of the aircraft's fuel system was conducted to determine the condition and distribution of fuel.
Fuel System Examination
Inspection of the fuel system revealed that the fuel selector valve was positioned to the right tank. No evidence of fuel was found in the right tank. The left fuel tank bladder was observed to be ruptured. At the accident site, there was no indication of foliage kill that would suggest fuel spillage, nor was there a strong odor of fuel. When the aircraft was lifted by a helicopter, an attempt to drain fuel from the main aircraft filter yielded no fuel. After the aircraft was recovered to a field at Whitefield Airport, a more detailed examination was performed. A small amount of fuel was found in the fuel line leading from the left tank to the fuel selector; however, the line from the right tank to the selector contained no fuel. The top skin of the right wing was removed, and the right fuel tank bladder was taken out. The bladder contained no fuel. A small hole was noted near the bottom of the bladder along the inboard end, and the surrounding structure in that area was heavily creased. There were no heavy fuel stains observed in the vicinity of the hole.
Findings
The fuel selector was set to the right tank, which was devoid of fuel. The left tank bladder was ruptured, and only a trace amount of fuel existed in the supply line from the left tank to the selector. No fuel was present in the line from the right tank, and the main fuel filter was empty.