What happened
During cruise flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted a forced landing into a construction area; however, during the landing sequence, the airplane nosed over.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft at the accident site and discovered that the left fuel tank was empty. The fuel selector was found in the off position. A mechanic who arrived at the scene prior to the inspector stated that he had turned the selector to the off position.
Regarding the pilot's actions, a written statement provided by the pilot did not mention switching to a different fuel tank following the loss of power. Additionally, during two separate interviews, the pilot provided conflicting accounts as to whether a fuel tank switch had occurred.
An examination of the engine was conducted, which revealed no mechanical discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation. Following the accident, the lower half of the carburetor, which was damaged during the impact, was replaced. The engine was subsequently tested on a stand for approximately 10 minutes at various power settings.