What happened
The aircraft was engaged in a cross-country flight when the pilot encountered a slow-moving weather front. To avoid the adverse conditions, the pilot made two separate stops along the route. These delays caused the arrival at the intended destination to occur later than originally planned.
Upon departing from the destination for the return leg of the journey, the aircraft departed with less fuel on board than had been initially planned. During the flight back, the engine suddenly quit. The pilot attempted a forced landing but was unable to clear the terrain, resulting in a collision with trees.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the fuel supply was exhausted. This depletion of fuel led directly to the loss of engine power. The impact with the trees caused substantial damage to the aircraft structure.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the decision to depart with insufficient fuel reserves. The pilot's failure to account for the time lost during the weather diversions resulted in a critical shortage of fuel for the return trip. This situation highlights the importance of accurate fuel planning when unexpected delays occur during flight.