Incident
During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing on a highway approximately seven miles from the intended destination airport. During the landing roll, the right wing collided with a fence post.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he had previously completed the same trip without refueling. He also stated that the engine consumed 11.4 gallons of fuel per hour.
Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks were empty. No fuel stains were observed on the wings.
Fuel Consumption Discrepancy
The operator's manual for the engine indicated that the anticipated fuel consumption was higher than the pilot's stated expectations.
This incident underscores the importance of accurate fuel planning and adherence to manufacturer specifications for fuel consumption.