Accident Overview
The accident involved a flight instructor and a student pilot during an instructional flight. The instructor had accumulated a total of 1.5 hours of flight experience in the make and model of the accident airplane. The aircraft collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude, leaving ground scars from both left and right wing leading edges.
Fuel System Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that the left and right main fuel tanks each contained 20 gallons of fuel, of which 17 gallons were useable. Both main tanks were ruptured. The left and right auxiliary fuel tip tanks were inoperative. The fuel selector valve was found in the right main fuel tank position.
Observations noted browning of vegetation in front of the right main fuel tank, but no such browning was present near the left main fuel tank. Performance data reviewed by investigators indicated that the airplane would have consumed approximately 16.4 gallons of fuel during the flight.
Engine Inspection
A detailed examination of the engine assembly disclosed no anomalies. No mechanical malfunctions or irregularities were identified that could have contributed to the event.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not determine a probable cause for the accident. The information available includes the instructor's limited experience in the make and model, the fuel selector position, and the asymmetric vegetation browning, but no conclusions were drawn linking these factors to the occurrence.