What happened
While in flight, the pilot established communication with approach control to report experiencing "fuel pressure problems" and advised that the aircraft was at "minimum fuel." Shortly thereafter, the engine lost power, prompting the pilot to execute a forced landing on a dirt road. During the landing roll, the uneven terrain of the road caused the aircraft to spin, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the aircraft at the scene of the accident. The inspection revealed that the fuel cells were empty. However, there was no evidence of ruptured fuel cells, leaking fuel, or broken fuel lines. In a written statement, the pilot noted that he had flown to four different locations throughout the day without performing any refueling stops. The pilot acknowledged that he should have verified the fuel levels before departing from his final location.