Accident Overview
On July 31, a pilot departed Tucson, Arizona, for a round-trip cross-country flight to Yucca Valley, California. The aircraft departed Tucson in the morning. Upon arriving at Yucca Valley and preparing for the return leg, the pilot found that no fuel service was available at that airport. The pilot then departed Yucca Valley with the intention of refueling at an intermediate stop en route back to Tucson.
Flight Sequence
After departure from Yucca Valley, the aircraft flew past Palm Springs and Thermal airports without stopping. The pilot then overflew Blythe, California. While over Blythe, the pilot attempted to contact the airport's UNICOM frequency to inquire about fuel availability but was unable to raise any response. Consequently, the pilot continued toward the next airport along the most direct route to Tucson: Gila Bend, Arizona.
Forced Landing
As the aircraft descended toward Gila Bend Airport, the engine stopped running. The aircraft subsequently touched down in a field short of the runway. The landing resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. An inspection of the fuel tanks after the event revealed no fuel present.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the forced landing in the field.