What happened
The aircraft was conducting a low-altitude visual flight rules (VFR) flight toward Northway, AK. During the operation, the pilot encountered adverse weather conditions that necessitated reversing course. Shortly after this maneuver, the engine lost power because the auxiliary fuel tank became depleted.
In an attempt to restore engine function, the pilot switched the fuel selector to a main tank that contained fuel and activated the boost pump. Despite these actions, the engine failed to restart. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees and came to rest approximately 150 feet from a highway.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of power. Key findings included the depletion of the auxiliary fuel tank prior to the switch to the main tank. The presence of fuel in the selected main tank and the activation of the boost pump were confirmed, yet the engine did not resume operation.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion from the auxiliary tank. The inability to restart the engine after switching tanks resulted in a forced landing into terrain. The proximity to a highway suggests the aircraft traveled some distance before impact.