What happened
During the climb from the departure airport, a rental airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Prior to takeoff, the pilot performed a preflight inspection in moderate rain while passengers boarded and baggage was loaded. At the time of the accident, instrument meteorological conditions were present with ceilings approximately 500 feet above ground level.
Following the engine failure, the pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching fuel tanks and adjusting the mixture from rich to lean, but these actions were unsuccessful. Due to concerns regarding wooded terrain, the pilot initiated a turn back toward the departure airport. Upon breaking through the cloud base, the pilot had approximately 20 seconds to select a landing site. The pilot reported that vision was significantly obscured by rain and fog, noting that trees at the edge of the initial selected field appeared closer than anticipated. Consequently, the pilot transitioned to an adjacent field for the landing, where the aircraft impacted terrain.
The investigation
An inspection of the aircraft revealed that the left main fuel tank contained unusable fuel and that the quick drain on the left main fuel tank was open.
Findings
- The pilot's attempt to switch tanks did not immediately restore power, as the Pilot's Operating Handbook notes that if fuel exhaustion is the cause, power may not be regained until empty fuel lines are refilled, a process taking up to ten seconds.
- The pilot was not injured.