What happened
During the flight, the pilot noticed a slight odor of fuel and opened the cabin vents to allow fresh air to circulate. As the aircraft was approaching its destination airport, the engine lost power at approximately 2,200 feet above ground level (AGL).
The pilot selected an emergency landing area and, after ensuring there was sufficient clearance over trees, attempted to extend the landing gear using the normal electric extension system. When the electric system failed to deploy the gear, the pilot began attempting to use the emergency gear extension system. However, due to insufficient time, the pilot performed a wheels-up landing.
The investigation
The investigation found no preimpact part failures or malfunctions of the aircraft or the engine. Although the pilot's instruments indicated that fuel was still remaining when the engine lost power, investigators found no usable fuel in the aircraft following the accident.
The pilot reported that the aircraft had been "topped off" with fuel prior to the flight and estimated that at least 11.7 gallons of fuel should have remained upon arrival at the destination. The aircraft has a total fuel capacity of 60 gallons. It was noted that if the tanks had been filled only to the bottom of the filler necks rather than the top, the fuel system would have contained approximately 10 gallons less than a full load.