Incident Summary
While on a cross-country flight, the pilot began the descent in preparation for landing. During the execution of the pre-landing checklist, the pilot adjusted the fuel selector to the tank indicated as having the 'fullest' fuel level. Shortly after this action, the engine experienced a total loss of power.
Emergency Landing and Damage
With the engine no longer producing thrust, the pilot initiated a forced landing. The terrain available for the landing was unsuitable for a safe touchdown. Consequently, the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including to the propeller, fuselage, and wings.
Post-Accident Engine Test
After the accident, an engine run was conducted. The engine operated normally, with no anomalies detected. This indicated that the power loss was not due to a mechanical failure of the engine itself.
Pilot's Account
The pilot later informed several individuals that the loss of power was caused by inadvertently shutting off the fuel supply while switching the fuel selector between tanks. The action intended to select the fullest tank instead resulted in a complete interruption of fuel flow to the engine.