Incident Details
A float-equipped airplane was in the traffic pattern to land at a seaplane base when the engine lost all power. The pilot conducted an emergency landing in the backyard of a private residence. During the forced landing, the airplane struck trees and a railing on the deck of the residence, resulting in structural damage to the left wing.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the right wing fuel tank was selected and estimated it to be about one-quarter full. When the engine lost power, the pilot was too low and did not have sufficient time or altitude to switch to the belly tank and restore power.
Investigation
Postaccident draining of the fuel tanks revealed approximately 18 gallons of fuel in the belly tank and about one quart in the right wing tank.
Findings
The probable cause was determined to be the pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector to a nearly empty tank, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and subsequent emergency landing at an off-airport site.