Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the pilot departed after a period of eight days since his previous flight. Immediately after takeoff, the engine ceased operating. The pilot executed a forced landing, during which the aircraft struck a fence and a tree.
Preflight Actions
The pilot reported that following the prior flight, he deviated from his 29-year habit and moved the fuel selector to the OFF position. The aircraft's fuel selector was floor-mounted with four positions: OFF, LEFT, BOTH, and RIGHT, arranged counterclockwise from the 6 o'clock position (OFF) to the 12 o'clock position (BOTH) and further. Eight days later, before the accident flight, the pilot conducted a physical check of the fuel selector without visual confirmation. He perceived the selector in a fore-aft orientation and assumed it was set to BOTH. He repeated this tactile verification twice prior to takeoff.
Engine Failure and Landing
Shortly after becoming airborne, the engine stopped. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the aircraft impacted a fence and a tree. After the landing, the pilot stated that he moved the fuel selector to the OFF position.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft following the accident and found the fuel selector in the BOTH position (12 o'clock), not in the OFF position (6 o'clock) as the pilot had indicated he placed it.