Event Details
While on the base leg of the landing pattern, the airplane's engine lost all power. The loss was attributed to the complete depletion of fuel in the fuel tank that had been selected at the time. In response, the pilot switched to the other fuel tank and attempted to restart the engine while simultaneously executing an emergency landing procedure aimed at reaching the airport.
During the descent, the pilot extended the flaps to the fully down position. As the airplane neared the ground, just before touchdown, the left horizontal stabilizer made contact with a fence post that was three feet in height. This contact was followed by a hard landing.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the engine lost total power due to depletion of the fuel in the selected tank.