What happened
Prior to the accident, the pilot removed the fuel selector valve handle assembly to have the placarded backing panel painted. During the reinstallation process, the pilot placed the handle and pointer 90-degrees counterclockwise from the correct position.
During the flight, the cockpit indication showed the fuel selector was set to the right tank; however, the actual physical position of the valve was in the fuel shutoff position. This misalignment caused the engine to become starved of fuel, leading to an engine failure. The pilot attempted a forced landing into wooded terrain, resulting in serious injuries.
The investigation
An examination of the fuel selector valve revealed that a mechanic had improperly inspected the component, which eliminated the detent function only. Additionally, investigators found that the engine fuel primer was in an unlocked state. Aside from these findings, an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any other mechanical discrepancies prior to the impact.
Regarding the pilot's status, it was noted that the pilot had been denied a medical certificate due to an unexplained history of alcohol abuse. Furthermore, the FAA revoked the pilot's airman certificate following the accident because the pilot failed to provide results from blood tests drawn after the event.