Accident Sequence
The accident airplane departed with two other aircraft on the first leg of a long cross-country flight, which was uneventful. No fuel was purchased by any of the three airplanes at the first stop. The flight of three departed, and the other two airplanes landed at the planned airport for a fuel stop. The accident airplane, however, experienced fuel exhaustion north of the destination airport.
Intentional Stall and Landing
Faced with fuel exhaustion, the pilot intentionally stalled the airplane into a clearing. During the landing, the airplane touched down left wing low, causing the left main and nose landing gears to collapse.
Fuel System Examination
Post-accident inspection of the fuel system revealed:
- The right fuel tank contained no fuel.
- The left fuel tank contained about 2 quarts of fuel.
- The gascolator contained about 1 ounce of fuel.
- The carburetor bowl contained no fuel.
Pilot Actions and Fuel Management
The pilot performed fuel consumption calculations for the flight but did not lean the fuel/air ratio during cruise flight. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), fuel flow during cruise flight is determined using the recommended lean mixture setting. An exhaust gas temperature (EGT) indicator was installed; the POH notes that it is used as an aid for mixture leaning during cruise flight at 75% power or less.