Incident Overview
An airplane experienced a loss of engine power during flight, necessitating a forced landing. During the landing, the aircraft struck a berm, which resulted in the landing gear being sheared off and damage to both wings and the fuselage.
Pilot and Witness Accounts
According to the pilot, the engine became quiet shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported hearing the engine surge a couple of times, similar to what would occur if it were running out of fuel. The pilot also indicated that approximately 80 gallons of fuel were on board at the time of the accident. Witnesses observed the engine popping two or three times and saw a puff of white or bluish smoke emanating from the engine.
Engine Inspection
A subsequent engine inspection was conducted, which included checks of the fuel system and ignition system. No mechanical anomalies were found. However, a plastic ridge located around the fuel selector valve had been depressed and deformed, allowing the valve to not seat properly in any of the three position detents. The pilot stated that when the engine quit, he did not physically or visually verify the fuel selector valve position.