Background
The pilot, who was not instrument rated, reported departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with four hours of fuel onboard for a 40-minute flight to Okeechobee, Florida. The following day, he departed from Okeechobee without refueling for a flight to Macon, Georgia.
Flight
En route, the pilot reported that he had to climb to an altitude of 10,500 feet to avoid clouds and maintain visual flight rules (VFR). While en route, he found himself over a cloud layer. Having 40 hours of instrument experience, he elected to descend and land at Macon.
Approach and Missed Approach
The pilot was vectored and cleared for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach. Approach control noted that the pilot did not descend below 1,600 feet as he approached and overflew the airport. The airport elevation was 354 feet. He initiated a missed approach, and shortly thereafter reported that he had run out of fuel. He was vectored back toward the airport but was unable to reach the runway.
Forced Landing
About three hours and five minutes after takeoff, the airplane struck wires as the pilot was landing in a wheat field. After hitting the wires, he was able to maintain control until after touchdown.