Accident Overview
The aircraft experienced a loss of engine power soon after departing from an airport. The pilot executed an off-airport landing approximately 3 miles from the departure point. During the landing, the airplane collided with a fence and subsequently came to rest in a ditch.
Pilot Report
The pilot, who had recently acquired the airplane, reported that after takeoff he switched fuel tanks, after which the engine stopped. He stated that at departure, one fuel tank was about half full and the other about one-quarter full, totaling 21 gallons of fuel. The pilot expressed certainty that there was fuel in the aircraft and speculated that the engine stoppage might have been caused by a blocked fuel vent or vapor lock in the fuel supply.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft approximately four hours after the accident. The inspection revealed no fuel in the left tank, only a minimal amount in the right tank, and no indication of tank rupture or fuel odor on the ground. The fuel selector was found in the left tank position.
Carburetor Icing Conditions
A carburetor icing chart indicated that atmospheric conditions at the time were conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power settings.