Departure and Preflight
Before departure, the pilot filled the fuel tanks but did not check the fuel quantity or the security of the fuel tank caps.
Inflight Engine Failure
During cruise flight, the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot reported that at the time of the engine failure, the left fuel quantity gauge indicated 1/4 full and the right gauge indicated 1/2 full.
Forced Landing and Postcrash Examination
The pilot executed a forced landing on a road. During the landing, the aircraft collided with a fence, then trees, and came to rest. A postcrash examination by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that fuel had siphoned overboard from the left fuel tank filler port due to a deteriorated fuel tank cap seal.