Event Overview
A pilot who had recently purchased an aircraft and obtained a ferry permit to fly it to another airport experienced a fuel exhaustion event during the flight. The pilot had reached the vicinity of the destination airport and contacted the tower, but was unable to see the airport. Approximately 15 minutes later, believing he had passed the airport, the pilot executed a 180-degree turn to head back.
Fuel Exhaustion and Emergency Landing
Shortly after turning back, the aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot initiated an emergency landing on a road. However, a tractor drove onto the roadway ahead, forcing the pilot to maneuver to land in an adjacent field. With very little altitude remaining, the pilot saw a power line ahead and attempted to cross under it.
Impact with Power Line
During the attempt to cross under the power line, the tail of the aircraft contacted the lowest cable. Subsequently, the nose pitched down and the aircraft impacted the ground.