What happened
The airplane sustained impact with a muddy field during an emergency forced landing. This event occurred approximately one and a half hours after the initial departure. The primary trigger for the incident was a complete loss of engine power while airborne.
Prior to the flight, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection inside a hangar illuminated by fluorescent lighting. During this check, the pilot verified the fuel gauges and visually assessed the fuel level in each tank. The pilot noted that the fuel level in both tanks was positioned just under the reference tabs on the dipstick or gauge.
The investigation
A postaccident examination of the airplane provided critical mechanical details regarding the fuel system. Inspectors found that the fuel selector valve was set to draw from the left fuel tank. Despite this selection, no usable fuel was present in either the left or right fuel tanks.
Findings
The investigation highlights a discrepancy between the preflight visual checks and the actual fuel quantity available for flight. The reliance on visual estimation under specific lighting conditions appears to have led to an inaccurate assessment of fuel status. Consequently, the aircraft operated with insufficient fuel reserves, leading to engine starvation and the subsequent forced landing.