Incident Overview
A pilot reported that before departure, the aircraft was fueled with 36 gallons of fuel, of which 10 gallons were automobile low lead gasoline. The automobile fuel was purchased from an off-airport gasoline station, transported to the aircraft in five-gallon cans, and added to the fuel tanks using a filtered spout.
Sequence of Events
During the flight, the pilot burned fuel from the right tank until the engine quit while the right fuel gauge indicated approximately one-quarter full. The pilot restarted the engine and continued the flight using the left tank. The engine lost power again when the left fuel gauge indicated approximately one-half full. At the time, the aircraft was over a hilly and wooded area at an altitude of 4,500 feet MSL.
The pilot located a suitable area for an emergency landing. However, the right wing of the aircraft struck a tree short of the intended landing area.
Examination Findings
An examination of the aircraft revealed that the gascolator was clogged with unidentified contaminants. The gascolator had been drained and checked during an annual inspection that occurred 13 flight hours prior to the accident. Before that annual inspection, the aircraft had been in storage for 10 years.