Accident Sequence
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation while approximately 2 miles from the airport. The pilot initially believed he could reach the airport but, upon noticing the airport boundary fence at about 500 feet above the ground, decided to land short to avoid striking the fence with the landing gear in flight. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane collided with a fence and overturned.
After the airplane came to rest inverted, the pilot observed fuel leaking from the wing fuel tanks and evacuated the aircraft. The pilot did not recall moving the fuel selector valve after landing.
Fuel Selector Valve Issues
Examination revealed that the fuel selector valve was positioned 20 to 30 degrees left of the right fuel tank position, pointing to the middle of a placard indicating the right tank. A mechanic reported that this position would not allow either tank to supply sufficient fuel to the engine. Additionally, a flexible detent designed to ensure proper positioning when the right fuel tank was selected was found bent downward and was not useable.