Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to ensure that the fuel valve was in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, resulting in the loss of engine power during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal until the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, at which time he closed the carburetor heat and the engine lost power. The airplane’s landing gear then contacted top of a security fence beyond the end of the runway and the airplane bounced into a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. The pilot further stated that before he exited the airplane, he checked the fuel valve and found that it was not locked in the full forward position; rather, it was midway between the "ON" and "OFF" positions. The pilot said that in retrospect, he was not positive that he had placed the fuel valve in the "ON" position during his preflight inspection, and that this was the reason for the engine losing power on takeoff.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that the take-off was normal until he was about 50 feet in the air, at which time the engine lost power after he closed the carburetor heat. The airplane’s landing gear then contacted top of a security fence beyond the end of the runway and bounced into a plowed field in a nose-down attitude. The pilot further stated that before he exited the airplane, he checked the fuel valve and found that it was not locked in the full forward position but was midway between the ON and OFF positions. The pilot said that in retrospect, he was not positive that he had placed the fuel valve in the full forward position during his pre-flight inspection, and that this was the reason for the engine losing power on take-off.