Accident Details
The airplane sustained damage when it collided with rough, soft terrain during a forced landing on a dirt road, causing the landing gear to collapse. The forced landing was necessitated by a power loss resulting from fuel exhaustion while the airplane was descending to land at its destination. Following the accident, no fuel was found in the fuel system, and no fuel stains were detected on the airplane.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot reported that the estimated time en route had extended from two hours and forty-five minutes to three hours and thirty-six minutes. Upon arrival in the destination area, the fuel gauges indicated empty and one-quarter full. The pilot stated that he suspected a hanging main gear door, which he believed created a low-pressure area near the fuel tank vents, pressurizing the tanks and causing fuel siphoning.
Fuel Consumption
According to the pilot, the fuel consumption rate for the outbound flight was 12.3 gallons per hour, while the return flight consumption was 15.8 gallons per hour, at the same power settings.