Accident Overview
A pilot/owner and a commercial-rated pilot were operating a tandem, two-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane on a local flight. On the return leg to the departure airport, the commercial pilot was flying the aircraft from the rear seat. During the approach to the runway, the engine lost power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilots elected to perform a forced landing in a vacant lot.
Aircraft Damage
The forced landing resulted in damage to the left wing and fuselage of the airplane.
Post-Accident Findings
After the accident, the pilot/owner and the commercial pilot discovered that the engine's fuel shut-off valve was in the pulled (off) position. The commercial pilot reported that he had flown a Cub Special (PA-11) previously but had never flown the accident airplane, a J3. He noted that the fuel shut-off valve in the J3 was located in the same position as the carburetor heat control in the PA-11. Furthermore, the shut-off valve was not color coded or marked, leading the commercial pilot to pull the fuel shut-off knob, mistaking it for the carburetor heat control.