Event Description
A pilot was flying a single-engine aircraft approximately 3.7 hours into a flight when the engine stopped operating. The aircraft was about 2 miles from its intended destination airport at the time. The pilot was forced to land the aircraft in a swamp.
Fuel and Examination
Before departure, the pilot had filled the aircraft to capacity with 42 gallons of fuel, including 38 gallons of usable fuel. Post-accident examination of the wreckage determined that the aircraft's fuel system was completely empty of fuel.
Pilot Actions
The pilot did not make any attempt to land at another airport to refuel, even though the flight came within 5 miles of an airport where fuel was available. The pilot failed to properly compute the aircraft's fuel consumption considering the existing headwind conditions.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to properly compute fuel consumption for the existing headwind conditions, resulting in fuel exhaustion.