Incident Overview
A pilot departed Kansas City without refueling or visually verifying the fuel quantity, according to the accident report. The flight was conducted using the left fuel tank. As the aircraft approached the Columbia, Missouri VOR at an altitude of 3,000 feet MSL, the engine failed.
Pilot Actions
The pilot established a glide and attempted to restart the engine by switching the fuel selector to the right tank, fuselage tank, left tank, and then right tank again. During this process, the pilot was required to hold the electric fuel pump switch in the on position; the switch is spring-loaded to the off position. The pilot was unable to restart the engine.
Landing and Collision
Selecting a golf course for the forced landing, the pilot turned during the approach to avoid golfers on the fairway. The aircraft subsequently crashed on a paved street.
Fuel Findings
Post-accident inspection revealed that the left and fuselage tanks were empty. The right tank contained approximately 4 to 5 inches of fuel. The left fuel tank quantity sending unit was found to be erratic, producing infinite then zero resistance through its travel from full to empty.