What happened
The pilot and safety pilot were operating a cross-country flight without filing a flight plan. During the return leg, the aircraft approached its destination airport when the engine suddenly lost power. Unable to maintain altitude, the airplane collided with terrain located in a clay pit approximately one-quarter mile from the runway.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed critical fuel system deficiencies. Inspectors found less than half a gallon of fuel remaining in the tanks. Furthermore, no fuel was detected in the carburetor, indicating complete starvation of the engine prior to impact.
Findings
The accident was caused by fuel exhaustion resulting from inadequate fuel management during the cross-country flight. The lack of a filed flight plan likely contributed to the failure to monitor fuel reserves accurately throughout the journey.