Takeoff and Fuel Mismanagement
The pilot was departing on an early morning flight and completed his preflight and pretakeoff checklists. During the takeoff roll, he realized that he had forgotten to switch the fuel tank from the left tank to the right tank. The left tank contained less than 1 gallon of fuel, while the right tank held about 35 gallons. The pilot then switched the fuel tank selector from the left to the right tank during the takeoff roll.
Engine Power Loss and Forced Landing
During the initial climb, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing off the end of the runway. During the landing, the airplane collided with a fence post, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the fuel transfer system on the airplane. The engine was successfully test run, and no mechanical anomalies were identified.