Piper PA32 N7703J accident near Houston, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank before departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed on a local flight and shortly after takeoff, the engine lost all power. The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field. About 10 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left main fuel tank; the left wingtip fuel tank was impact-damaged and was empty. Both right wing fuel tanks were empty and neither tank was impact damaged or compromised. The fuel selector valve was in the right main tank position.

After recovery, the engine was plumbed to an external fuel source; the engine started and ran without hesitation at various power settings. There were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or related systems that would preclude normal operation. It is likely that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA018 for the full record.