Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while on short final approach to runway 22, he completed the pre-landing checklist and switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank. The engine then stumbled. The pilot switched the selector back to the left tank, whereupon the engine surged and subsequently lost power. The airplane collided with terrain in a marsh area approximately 500 feet from the runway.
Fuel and Engine Examination
According to rescue personnel at the site, a barrel of fuel was drained from the right main tank; the exact amount drained was undetermined. No fuel was drained from the left main tank. The engine was examined at Teledyne Continental Motors in Mobile, Alabama on July 18, 2000, and no discrepancies were found.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that his destination was Winter Haven, Florida, with a planned refueling stop at Fayetteville. He reported departing with full fuel tanks and an en-route time of 3 hours. The pilot provided no further details regarding the circumstances of the flight or the accident.