Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, about 300 feet above ground level, a total engine power loss occurred. The pilot attempted to restart the engine unsuccessfully and performed a forced landing into trees. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and were not breached and that each tank contained about 2 gallons of fuel. The airplane was equipped with two 19-gallon wing tanks with a total fuel capacity of 38 gallons, of which 35 gallons were usable. Examination of the engine revealed that no fuel was present in the fuel lines or the fuel separator. There was no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, about 300 feet above ground level, a total engine power loss occurred. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine and performed a forced landing into trees. The wings and fuselage of the airplane were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel tanks remained intact and were not breached, and contained about two gallons of fuel in each tank. The airplane was equipped with two 19-gallon wing tanks with a total fuel capacity of 38 gallons; of which, 35 gallons are usable. Further examination of the engine revealed that there was no fuel present in the fuel lines or the fuel separator on the engine. The inspector found no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.