Been there done that. Flying at 5k in 7324J over Ozark mountains and forests in early 70’s out of old Columbia MO airport. Switched the lever about every hour to balance tanks. Switched it and engine sputtered and coughed. Looked down nothing but trees. Not good. Pulled anti ice. Full throttle. Nothing worked. Thought time to hit the trees but I did go to switch lever back. Noticed it was off. Never did that again. Heard a few years later that someone had hit the trees with this little yellow bird. Always wondered if that pilot did the same thing but lower altitude.