What happened
A solo student pilot was conducting training maneuvers when the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot had been practicing air work and subsequently returned to the traffic pattern for landing practice. During an upwind departure leg, while the aircraft was between 50 and 75 feet above the ground, the engine failed completely.
The investigation
Records associated with the accident airplane indicated that it had accumulated 3.3 hours of flight time since its last refueling. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the scene and determined the fuel status of the tanks. The left tank was found to be empty, while the right tank held between five and six gallons of fuel. The fuel selector valve was discovered in the position corresponding to the left tank.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot had selected the fuel supply from the left tank, which contained no usable fuel, despite the right tank having sufficient fuel remaining. This mismanagement of the fuel system resulted in the engine stopping during a critical phase of flight.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that the fuel selector is set to a tank containing adequate fuel before and during flight operations. Regular monitoring of fuel quantity and consumption rates is essential to prevent fuel exhaustion, particularly during extended training sessions.