Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper fuel planning which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After about 4 hours and 15 minutes of a cross-country flight, while approaching the final destination, the airplane ran out of fuel. The pilot attempted to divert to a closer airport but had to execute a forced landing to a grassy field. Upon landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage above the right wing. Examination of the airplane at the accident site confirmed that there no usable fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot stated that he should have refueled earlier in the flight, and that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operations.