What happened
Numerous witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine sputter before it completely stopped. Following the loss of power, the pilot attempted to execute an emergency landing in a nearby parking lot. While maneuvering at very low altitudes and airspeeds during this approach, the left wing struck a light pole.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft revealed that no fuel was found in the fuel lines or in the fuel tanks. This physical evidence strongly suggests that the engine failure was caused by a lack of fuel supply. The pilot had logged a total of 79 hours of flight time at the time of the accident.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The absence of fuel in the tanks and lines confirmed that the engine stopped due to depletion rather than mechanical failure. The pilot's limited experience, with only 79 total hours logged, may have contributed to the difficulty in managing the emergency situation.