What happened
During cruise flight, the pilot encountered a sudden loss of engine power attributed to fuel exhaustion. In response to the emergency, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure aimed at an open field. While maneuvering the aircraft toward the intended landing site, the airplane flew underneath overhead power lines and collided with the lower set of wires.
The impact with the wires resulted in significant structural damage. Specifically, the wires severed the right elevator of the aircraft. This critical failure led to a complete loss of control over the airplane's pitch and attitude.
The investigation
Following the incident, an FAA coordinator conducted a thorough inspection of the wreckage. The examination revealed that there was no fuel remaining in the airplane's tanks. Furthermore, the investigator observed no evidence of fuel spillage around the aircraft or on the ground, indicating that the tank had been completely depleted rather than leaking.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were the depletion of the fuel supply and the subsequent structural failure of the elevator. The collision with the power lines was a direct consequence of the pilot's attempt to land in an area where overhead obstructions were not adequately accounted for during the emergency approach.