Accident Sequence
A student pilot and an instructor pilot were conducting a local instructional flight. After an uneventful flight, they practiced emergency landing procedures at a private ranch airport. Following a missed approach, the student initiated a go-around. During the climb, the engine lost power. The student attempted to set up for an actual emergency landing. Both pilots troubleshooted the power loss, switching fuel tanks and attempting an engine restart. While maneuvering to land, approximately 20 feet above the runway, the airplane stalled, struck the runway, and came to rest in a grassy area to the left of the runway. Both wings sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
After the accident, the student pilot, who owned the airplane, stated that he might have moved the fuel selector lever to the left tank position during the troubleshooting. The instructor pilot occupied the right seat and could not see the fuel selector lever position. A postaccident examination revealed that both the right main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank contained usable fuel. The left main fuel tank was empty but not compromised. The fuel selector lever was found in the left tank position. No evidence of mechanical malfunction or other preimpact abnormalities was identified. Although the loss of engine power could be linked to possible fuel starvation, the cause for the loss of engine power could not be substantiated.