Summary
A single-engine aircraft experienced a loss of engine power during the final approach to runway 35 at Leesburg, Virginia. The pilot executed an emergency landing, during which the aircraft struck a fence and nosed over. No usable fuel was found in the aircraft after the accident.
Narrative
The aircraft was on a round-robin cross-country flight originating and terminating at Leesburg, with intermediate stops at Manassas, Virginia, and Gaithersburg, Maryland. The pilot estimated that he had 11 gallons of fuel when departing Gaithersburg on the final leg of the flight.
During the arrival at Leesburg, while turning onto the final approach for runway 35, the engine lost power. The pilot noted that the left fuel gauge indicated about 3/8 full, and he moved the fuel selector to that position. The right fuel gauge indicated at or near empty. The pilot was unable to restart the engine.
Subsequently, during the emergency landing, the aircraft hit a fence and nosed over. A post-crash examination found no usable fuel in the aircraft.
Findings
The pilot reported that the engine lost power while the aircraft was turning onto final approach. Fuel gauge readings: left gauge indicated about 3/8 full, right gauge indicated at or near empty. After moving the fuel selector to the left tank position, the engine could not be started. No usable fuel was found during the post-crash inspection of the aircraft.