ATL94LA089

Factual narrative

On May 1, 1994, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Hesterlee Rutan Vari Eze, N41ES, collided with the ground during a forced landing at Statesville, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. there were no injuries to the private pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot believed that he inadvertently turned the fuel selector from the auxiliary tankposition to the off position, instead of the main fuel tank position. During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine quit. A forced landing was attempted which resulted in a collision with a ditch, as the pilot tried to re-land on the runway. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A DITCH AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RE-LAND ON THE REMAINDER OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE AUXILIARY TANK POSITION TO THE OFF POSITION INSTEAD OF THE MAIN TANK POSITION. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12