Incident Overview
A pilot was changing the fuel selector position from the left to the right tank when the engine lost power. The pilot subsequently attempted an emergency landing, but the airplane collided with the ground approximately one mile west of the airport.
Fuel Selector Examination
Post-accident examination of the fuel selector valve assembly disclosed that the upper roll pin was not installed in the rotor assembly. A search of the wreckage at the accident site failed to recover the upper roll pin. Additionally, inspection of the machined roll pin installation hole through the mast of the fuel selector did not reveal evidence of a previous installation. Safety wire material was recovered from under the selector detent plate.
Fuel Flow Test
A flow check of the fuel selector assembly determined that fuel flowed through the assembly without restriction.
Maintenance History
According to the annual inspection checklist, the fuel selector valve should be inspected for leakage, security, freedom, proper detent, and condition. The airframe maintenance logs showed that a current annual inspection had been accomplished. The pilot reportedly had performed the annual inspection under the supervision of an Authorized Inspector (AI).