Accident Overview
During the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane's engine sputtered and subsequently lost total power. The pilot initiated a right turn and executed a forced landing to a field. The aircraft came to rest without further reported damage beyond the forced landing event.
Fuel System Examination
Following the accident, investigators drained 5 gallons of fuel from the left fuel tank and 7 gallons from the right fuel tank. Examination of the fuel system revealed a total blockage in the left fuel tank's aft feed line, specifically in the vicinity of a bend near the fuel tank connection. According to the FAA Inspector's report, the bend in the line was clogged with what appeared to be hard packed sand. No other pre-impact discrepancies were noted.
Pilot Actions and Recent History
The pilot reported selecting the left fuel tank for takeoff, as prescribed by the Airplane's Operating Handbook. The airplane had accumulated approximately 15 to 20 hours of flight time since its most recent annual inspection, which occurred about two months before the accident. For about six weeks prior to that inspection, the airplane was parked in a T-hangar with both wings removed.