Departure and Flight Plan
The aircraft departed Charleston, South Carolina, at approximately 1730 with 42 gallons of fuel onboard, estimated to provide 5 hours of endurance for a planned 4-hour flight to Smyrna, Delaware.
En Route Conditions
During the flight, headwinds of 10 to 20 knots were encountered, which delayed the arrival in the Smyrna area by 45 minutes. By that time, only 15 minutes of fuel remained.
Runway Light Issue
Upon reaching Smyrna, the pilot found that the pilot-activated runway lights were inoperative. After several attempts to activate the lights and flying the traffic pattern down to an altitude of 200 feet, the pilot decided to divert to Wilmington Airport, approximately 30 miles to the north.
Engine Power Loss
While en route to Wilmington at an altitude of 2000 feet, about 8 miles south of the airport, the engine lost power.
Forced Landing
The pilot executed a forced landing in a swampy area. During the landing, the nosewheel became mired in mud, causing the aircraft to come to rest inverted.
Subsequent Information
The pilot later stated that he was told by personnel at Smyrna that the runway light system had been shut down for maintenance and had not been reactivated after the work was completed.