What happened
The aircraft was en route from White Plains, New York, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The pilot departed White Plains with less than full tanks of fuel and passed up opportunities to refuel along the route. On final approach to Springfield, Missouri, the aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot attempted an emergency forced landing on a highway but collided with a sign.
The investigation
The investigation revealed that the pilot had departed with insufficient fuel and ignored refueling stops. The aircraft was destined for Springfield specifically to refuel when the accident occurred.
Findings
The primary factor was fuel exhaustion during the final approach phase. The pilot's decision to forego refueling contributed directly to the emergency situation.