19980818030949A

(.4) The private pilot departed on a local flight in a tailwheel equipped airplane. He reported that he had completed three, solo, touch-and-go landings, after which a passenger boarded the airplane for a local area flight. He stated that while departing runway 19, all engine power was lost, and that he did not have sufficient altitude to return to the runway. He said that he made a forced landing in trees bordering the runway. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he reported that when the flight originated, the right main fuel tank was full, and the left main fuel tank was about one-quarter full. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, and not in use at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the entire flight was accomplished with the fuel selector valve on the right main tank. A pilot-rated police officer that responded to the initial accident call, arrived on scene about 15 minutes after the accident. He reported that upon his arrival, the left main fuel tank was 'dry', and the right fuel tank appeared to be full. He added that the main fuel selector valve had been placed in the 'off' position prior to his arrival. The police officer said that the pilo t had closed the fuel valve prior to exiting the airplane. (-23) on August 18, 1998, about 2130 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-14, aircraft N4214H, operating under part 91, crashed shortly after takeoff from runway 19, of Birchwood Airport, in chugiak, AK. The pilot reported that while departing, midway down the runway at 600 feet, the engine quit. The pilot stated that he did not have sufficient altitude to return to the runway and made a forced landing in the small trees bordering the runway. The pilot and the one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft is substantially damaged.