Incident Details
The aircraft had recently undergone maintenance to reseal the left fuel tank. As part of the sealing procedure, all fuel was drained from the left tank. After the work was completed, the pilot, who was also a mechanic, departed on a test flight intended to return the aircraft to service. The pilot did not refuel the left tank prior to the flight. The pilot reported being certain that the fuel selector was positioned to the right tank, which was nearly full. Engine start, taxi, run-up, and takeoff proceeded normally. During the initial climb, however, the engine lost power. The pilot was unable to return to the runway and executed a forced landing in a field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing during the landing.
Examination Findings
An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the aircraft after the incident. The left fuel tank was found to be completely empty, while abundant fuel was present in the right tank. The inspector loosened the fuel line leading into the distributor manifold and energized the electric fuel pump. Initially, air came out of the line, followed by a steady stream of fuel. The line was then reconnected. Using the aircraft's systems and fuel from the right tank, the engine was started and operated satisfactorily.