What happened
The aircraft experienced an unexpected loss of engine power while operating during a night cross-country flight. Unable to maintain altitude or reach a suitable airfield, the pilot was compelled to execute an emergency landing in a grove of young walnut trees.
Upon impact, the aircraft struck the ground with one wing low and subsequently spun around before coming to a complete halt over a very short distance. The force of the collision brought all motion to an immediate stop.
The investigation
A post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed that both fuel tanks were completely empty at the time of the incident. This physical evidence confirmed a lack of fuel supply to the engine.
During interviews, the pilot stated that the left fuel gauge indicated the tank was approximately one-third full when the engine lost power. This discrepancy between the gauge reading and the actual fuel quantity suggests a potential instrumentation error or misinterpretation of the available fuel reserves.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was fuel exhaustion. The aircraft ran out of usable fuel during flight, leading to an involuntary landing in a confined area. The pilot's reliance on the left fuel gauge, which showed remaining fuel, likely contributed to the decision to continue the flight rather than divert or refuel.
The nature of the terrain, specifically the grove of young walnut trees, dictated the manner of the impact and the subsequent spinning motion before the aircraft stopped.