Incident Overview
A pilot departed an airport with the fuel selector positioned to the main fuel tank, which contained 32.5 gallons of fuel. Approximately five minutes after takeoff, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right tip fuel tank. About 15 minutes later, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to switch fuel tanks and restart the engine, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Forced Landing and Impact
Unable to restore engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane impacted terrain, causing the firewall to buckle. The pilot was not reported injured, and no other injuries were mentioned.
Post-Accident Examination
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the right tip fuel tank contained only "trace amounts of fuel." The pilot stated that he had not checked the fuel tank levels prior to departure. The pilot also told the FAA inspector, "Had I had another 5 gallons [of fuel] in the tip, I would have been okay." Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Fuel Management
The incident highlights the importance of preflight fuel checks and proper fuel management. The pilot's decision to switch to the right tip tank without verifying its contents led to an unexpected fuel exhaustion situation. No other factors were identified in the fuel system that could have contributed to the power loss.