Incident Details
A pilot reported that the aircraft had 8 gallons of fuel on board before departure. The flight originated from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at 0700 local time, with an intended destination of Aguadilla and an intermediate stop at Arecibo for refueling. Normal fuel consumption at 65% power was approximately 12 gallons per hour, with additional fuel required for taxi, takeoff, and climb.
Sequence of Events
At about 0725, the aircraft experienced fuel exhaustion approximately 3 miles from Arecibo. The pilot executed a forced landing on a dirt road. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with trees.
Remarks
The pilot's preflight fuel estimate of 8 gallons proved insufficient for the planned flight, given the consumption rate and the additional fuel needed for ground operations and takeoff.