Incident Overview
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff, leading to a forced landing in a cornfield. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the landing.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he had departed from a grass airstrip with the fuel selector positioned to the right fuel tank. He noted that the fuel gauges indicated the majority of the fuel on board was in the right tank, with "very little" fuel in the left tank.
Fuel System Examination
Post-incident inspection of the airplane revealed approximately 20 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank. When electrical power was applied to the aircraft, the right fuel gauge indicated a half-tank remaining, while the left fuel gauge showed a low fuel condition.
Pilot's Operating Handbook Guidance
The airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) specifies that the fuel selector should be set to BOTH during takeoff and climb. The pilot's selection of the right fuel tank alone for departure was inconsistent with the POH instructions.
Conclusion
The forced landing resulted from a loss of engine power. The fuel selector was not set to the BOTH position as recommended by the POH, and the fuel distribution between tanks was uneven, with a significant quantity of fuel remaining in the left tank, which was not being drawn by the engine.