What happened
The day prior to the accident, the pilot had flown a load of electronic equipment and two Mexican citizens to Mexico. During the return flight, while the aircraft was on the base leg of its approach, the engine ceased operation. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but the fuel pump failed to operate.
Unable to maintain flight, the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the aircraft impacted a concrete canal. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and was not otherwise injured.
The investigation
The aircraft remained in the runway approach zone overnight following the accident. Upon examination of the fuel supply, investigators found between 8 to 10 gallons of fuel in the right wing and an additional one gallon contained within a large plastic container located in the rear of the aircraft.