Flight Planning and Enroute Stop
The pilot anticipated that strong headwinds encountered en route would diminish as the flight progressed, but they persisted. To address fuel concerns, the pilot landed at an intermediate airport to refuel. Upon landing, the pilot discovered that the airport was deserted. He recalculated the elapsed time and other parameters, then selected the next available airport as a destination, believing that sufficient fuel remained onboard for the remainder of the flight.
Engine Power Loss and Landing Attempt
After departing from the enroute stop, the engine lost power while the pilot was climbing. The pilot switched fuel tanks and restarted the engine. Despite this event, he continued to believe that the fuel supply was adequate. Approximately four miles from the intended destination, the engine lost power again. The pilot identified an area for a forced landing but struck trees before reaching the desired spot.