Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he departed Boulder City, Nevada, with 92 gallons of fuel on board. Approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes later, he was forced to land after the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. According to the pilot, the fuel gauges had been indicating normal levels, with 18 gallons in the left tank and 12 gallons in the right tank.
Landing Sequence
During the landing at a nearby strip, the pilot delayed extending the landing gear to ensure clearance of a fence. However, the aircraft touched down before the gear was fully extended, resulting in a landing with incomplete gear deployment.
Fuel Consumption and Inspection
The operating handbook for the aircraft indicated that approximately 66 gallons of fuel should have been consumed during the flight. After the incident, a fuel stain and loose rivets were discovered near an inspection plate under the left wing.