Incident Narrative
During cruise flight, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks several times, but these efforts were unsuccessful in restoring or maintaining engine operation.
Forced Landing
While executing a forced landing, the pilot reported that the rear seat passenger grabbed both him and his wife. According to the pilot, this action caused him to flare too high, resulting in a stall.
Postaccident Examination
After the accident, inspectors examined the aircraft. The fuel selector handle was found positioned on the right main tank. The left fuel tank contained 6.0 gallons of fuel, while the right tank contained 2.5 gallons. This total included 1.5 gallons of unusable fuel in each tank.
Engine Test
Following recovery, the aircraft was prepared for a ground run. The engine was partially refueled, started, and responded normally to throttle inputs. Engine instruments displayed normal indications.