Accident Summary
On the day of the accident, the aircraft departed Destin, Florida at 1554 CST, en route to Tullahoma, Tennessee. The flight plan estimated a 2.5-hour en route time with 4.5 hours of fuel on board. During arrival at Tullahoma, the pilot initiated a VOR/DME-B approach but executed a missed approach due to weather conditions. The aircraft was then cleared to proceed to Huntsville, Alabama.
Loss of Engine Power and Crash
While conducting an ILS approach at Huntsville, the pilot reported being low on fuel. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. The aircraft subsequently struck trees during a forced landing, crashing at approximately 1835 CST.
Investigation Findings
Investigation revealed that the aircraft was last refueled on January 17, 1982, at Tullahoma. Following that refueling, the aircraft was flown in the airport pattern. The next day, it was flown to Destin. Examination of the wreckage disclosed only traces of fuel, indicating fuel exhaustion as a contributing factor.