Forced Landing After Engine Roughness During Takeoff (N4295R)

Incident Overview and Immediate Response During takeoff, after the aircraft reached 300 feet above ground level, the engine began running very rough. The pilot switched from the right fuel tank to the left, but the engine continued to run rough, and the fuel pressure gauge indicated zero. With insufficient power to maintain flight, the pilot executed a forced landing in a field. ## Maintenance and Engine Overhaul An engine run was performed after the incident, but it was limited to 1,500 RPM due to propeller damage. Both the left and right fuel tanks were selected, and no anomalies were identified. The engine was then removed and sent to the manufacturer for overhaul, where no pre-impact failures or malfunctions were found. The engine was reinstalled, and the aircraft was painted. ## Recurrence and Resolution While taxiing the aircraft after painting, the engine lost power. The pilot noted that the engine ran normally when the right tank was selected, but when the left tank was selected, fuel pressure dropped to zero and the engine lost power. The fuel selector was removed and examined, with no anomalies or obstructions found in the fuel line from the left fuel tank to the fuel selector. The fuel selector was replaced with a new one, and the problem did not reoccur.