N8225F

On September 16, 2005, about 1200 central daylight time, a Beech F33A, N8225F, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power near Emerson, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Karl Stefan Memorial Airport, Norfolk, Nebraska, about 1145, and was bound for the Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he began the flight with full fuel. He stated that while in flight at 1,800 feet above ground level, he switched fuel tanks and about 10 seconds later the engine quit. He stated that there was a loss of fuel flow. He stated that his attempts to restart the engine, including switching tanks again were of no avail and he executed a forced landing to a field. He stated that the terrain consisted of rolling hills and during the landing the airplane contacted corn crops and a barbed wire fence.

A postaccident engine run failed to reveal any anomalies with regard to the engine or fuel system. During the engine run it was noted that failure to accurately position the fuel selector valve within the detent resulted in fuel starvation. Re-positioning the fuel selector valve within the detent for any fuel tank would allow the engine to operate normally.