Background
The aircraft departed from Watsonville, California, the day before the accident. Documents provided by the pilot indicated that 45.5 gallons of fuel were loaded prior to departure. The aircraft flew directly to Minden, Nevada, a straight-line distance of 170 nautical miles, and was parked overnight.
Flight Details
On the day of the accident, the pilot reported performing a normal preflight inspection but did not visually check the fuel tank levels. The aircraft then departed on the return flight to Watsonville.
Forced Landing
During the return flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing on a highway. During the landing, the aircraft struck trees.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, aircraft retrievers reported complete system integrity of the aircraft. When the aircraft was removed from the site, only 2 gallons of fuel were found in the tanks.