Background
The pilot of a Cessna 177RG filed an IFR flight plan before obtaining en route weather information. The flight plan was subsequently revised to extend the planned route from Washington, DC (Dulles) to Charleston, West Virginia. The pilot did not obtain weather information pertinent to the revised flight plan.
Fuel Management
The pilot was unfamiliar with the Cessna 177RG aircraft handbook and underestimated the amount of fuel on board. During the flight, the pilot did not rely on the fuel gauges nor perform any fuel calculations. Additionally, possible refueling points along the route were overflown without stopping.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft contacted trees approximately 1 mile from the destination airport, 4 hours and 17 minutes after takeoff. The original flight plan was filed for a duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes. Following the accident, only 3 ounces of fuel were found in the fuel system. The aircraft handbook lists 1 gallon of fuel as being unusable.
[Note: No injuries, fatalities, weather conditions, or ATC involvement were reported in the source.]