Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper management of the fuel system.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot had just purchased the aircraft. The aircraft did not have any navigational or communication radios, except for a hand held radio. The weather in the mountainous area was marginal for flight in visual meteorological conditions. Witnesses stated that the pilot seemed to be in a hurry to depart, they stated that he did not perform any preflight of the aircraft prior to departure. The aircraft crashed near the original point of departure nearly two and one half hours after departure. Investigation revealed that there was no fuel remaining in the left fuel tank. The fuel selector was selected to the left tank.
Source record
Factual narrative
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