Incident Overview
A private pilot operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) was en route to St. Louis. While approaching the Nashville, Tennessee area, the pilot encountered icing conditions and requested a descent. After the icing persisted, the pilot requested an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Nashville.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft crashed approximately 12 miles south-southwest of the Nashville airport. Shortly before impact, the pilot reported that the engine had lost power and that the aircraft was stalling.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident inspection of the wreckage revealed that the left auxiliary fuel tank was empty of fuel. Additionally, the fuel selector valve was found positioned to the 'left aux' tank setting. No evidence of pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure was discovered in the examination.
Conclusion
The investigation determined that the aircraft's loss of power was due to fuel starvation, as the left auxiliary tank was depleted and the selector valve had not been moved to a tank containing fuel.