Accident Description
The accident involved a single-engine airplane that departed with the pilot and three passengers. During the initial climb, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 feet mean sea level (MSL), the engine experienced a complete loss of power.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported executing the emergency procedures but did not think to check the fuel selector position. He elected to perform a forced landing in a nearby field.
Damage and Findings
During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and left wing. The pilot noted that the fuel selector was found positioned on an auxiliary fuel tank that contained no fuel. He added that the fuel selector was easy to move inadvertently and that a passenger's foot may have moved the selector before takeoff.