Accident
On April 16, 2021, about 2030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F amphibian airplane, registration N19D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near North Vernon, Indiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The pilot reported that he assisted a mechanic with a 100-hour inspection and subsequently conducted an operational check, including an inspection and run-up of the airplane. After departing, shortly after retracting the landing gear and flaps, the engine lost power. Unable to return to the airport, the pilot selected a nearby golf course for the forced landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and aft section of the fuselage.
Investigation
Examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left fuel tank contained 10 gallons of fuel and the right fuel tank contained 15 gallons of fuel. The inspector noted that the mechanic had left work early, and the pilot had installed portions of the interior, which included the fuel selector handle. The fuel selector handle was found installed incorrectly, rotated 90° on the fuel selector shaft. The shaft was keyed to allow installation in only one orientation, but the handle partially fit over the stem, allowing the attaching screw to partially engage. The handle was in the left tank position, but the orientation of the fuel selector shaft restricted all fuel flow to the engine.
Engine Test
A post-accident engine test run was conducted with the engine operated at full throttle. The fuel selector was placed in the left, right, and both positions; the engine operated normally in each position with no anomalies noted. The airplane was factory-equipped with a small header tank that collected fuel before being fed to the engine.
Findings
The accident resulted from a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation caused by the mispositioned fuel selector shaft, which was a consequence of the pilot's incorrect installation of the fuel selector handle.