Incident Overview
A pilot was returning to Republic Airport following repairs on the aircraft. During the visual flight rules (VFR) flight, the pilot reported a sudden loss of engine power. He subsequently prepared for an emergency landing with the landing gear retracted. The aircraft touched down between two sand dunes, resulting in structural damage.
Post-Accident Findings
An investigation conducted after the accident determined that the aircraft had no fuel onboard at the time of the incident. The pilot stated that the fuel gauge indicated a full tank when the power loss occurred, approximately one hour into the flight.
Summary
The incident highlights a discrepancy between the fuel gauge reading and the actual fuel quantity. No other causal factors were identified in the source material.