Incident Description
A private pilot and a certified flight instructor were conducting touch-and-go landings during an airplane checkout. While on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power. The flight instructor executed a forced landing to a straight road ahead. During the approach, the airplane struck a tree.
Fuel Selector Position
The flight instructor stated that during the forced landing, he instructed the private pilot to turn the fuel selector to the off position. In a later telephone interview, the instructor speculated that the private pilot may have accidentally moved the fuel selector to the off position while trimming the airplane. The private pilot reported that the fuel selector was set to the right tank for the entire flight. The fire marshal who arrived on scene after the accident reported that he turned the fuel selector from the right to the off position.
Post-Accident Examination
Fuel was found in each fuel tank, as well as in the fuel manifold valve, fuel lines, and throttle body. The fuel-injected engine was run in a test and no mechanical anomalies were observed.