Incident Details
The pilot, unable to land at his intended destination because of fog, returned to the Lake Hood airstrip. While on a three-mile final approach, he reported an engine failure and stated he would have to land to the west. The aircraft did not reach the lake and was forced to land in a residential area, where it struck a house and a tree.
Fuel System Investigation
Investigators conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft's fuel system. They found that the fuel tanks did not contain any measurable amount of fuel. Additionally, there was no evidence of fuel odor near the aircraft, and the snow surrounding the landing site showed no discoloration that would indicate fuel had been present. The carburetor was disassembled and examined; no residual fuel was detected in the carburetor bowl or in the associated fuel lines.