Event Description
A student pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) were conducting a flight. The airplane had been operated for 1.8 hours since its last fueling. The student pilot, who had not received systems ground instruction, performed the preflight inspection. During the preflight, fuel was observed in the right main fuel tank; the student intended to inquire about the exact quantity with the CFI but did not do so.
The flight departed with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank, and it remained in that position throughout the flight until the engine experienced a loss of power. After the power loss, the CFI took control of the airplane and stated that she moved the fuel selector. The student pilot reported that he could not recall whether the CFI moved the selector after the power loss but noted that he did not touch the selector during the flight.
The CFI indicated that the airplane impacted the ground at approximately 100 knots. The student pilot described the final moments as the airplane coming straight down for the last few feet.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector was positioned to the right main fuel tank, and no fuel was present in that tank. The remaining fuel tanks were nearly full. No fuel was found in the fuel line at the inlet of the engine-driven fuel pump. Both the fuel selector and the auxiliary fuel pump were checked and found to be operating satisfactorily.