What happened
The flight departed South Bend at 1105 EST. While on final approach, the pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed a forced landing onto a nearby golf course. The impact caused the aircraft to nosed over.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the fuel systems revealed that the right fuel tank was completely empty. The left fuel tank contained only 1/2 gallon of fuel, which was insufficient for continued flight. To determine if a mechanical failure contributed to the event, the engine was operated to full power after recovery. This test showed no evidence of failure or malfunction.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The available fuel in the left tank was depleted before the landing could be completed safely. No mechanical issues with the engine were found during post-accident testing.