20070726015049A

(-23) The on-site investigation revealed the following facts. The aircraft came to rest with the propeller in a vertical position. The upper blade was slightly bent aft, the lower blade was completely bent under the aircraft. When removed and examined, there was no evidence of contact with trees or any rotational marks or tip curling suggesting the blade was not turning during the crash. Both tanks were opened as a result of the crash, so a search was conducted along its destruction path through the trees to locate evidence of fuel leakage. There was no post-impact fire and minimal chemical burning on foliage from spilled fuel was evident. The fuel selector was found in a position midway between l and r. the Beechcraft representative explained that in this position, no fuel would be fed to the engine. The odor of automotive fuel was detected in the fuel sample drawn from the gascolator. The engine was examined by a Lycoming representative, and no mechanical damage was noted. An airframe inspection was conducted by two Beechcraft representatives and control surface continuity was confirmed for the control surfaces not compromised by the crash.