What happened
A student pilot, identified as a Mexican national, was conducting a solo cross-country flight in an unspecified light aircraft. During the journey, the pilot reported difficulty locating the intended destination airport in San Luis Obispo, California. After circling the area for some time without success, the pilot spotted Ocean Airfield and initiated a landing approach.
While on final approach to Ocean Airfield, the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. The pilot executed an emergency landing at the site. During this forced landing, the aircraft collided with a residential trailer located near the airfield.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to draw from the right fuel tank. Inspection confirmed that the right tank was completely empty. However, fuel remained in the left tank. The pilot had switched the fuel selector to the right tank approximately thirty minutes after takeoff and did not correct the selection before the power loss occurred.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's failure to monitor fuel quantity and select the appropriate tank. By leaving the selector on an empty tank, the engine ceased receiving fuel. This mechanical starvation led directly to the loss of power during a critical phase of flight near the ground.