Accident Summary
The flight was en route on a return trip from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Chamblee, Georgia, when the engine lost power. The pilot reported having 18 gallons of fuel in the right tank and more than 25 gallons in the left tank at the time of the power loss. He switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank position.
Fuel Status
During the preflight inspection at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport in Chamblee, the pilot determined both wing fuel tanks contained more than 25 gallons each. He added 15 gallons per tank, for a total of 80 gallons. The airplane's total fuel capacity is 122 gallons, of which 120 are usable. Safety Board staff calculated a fuel burn rate of 20 gallons per hour at 75 percent power. The 2.2-hour flight was estimated to have consumed about 44 gallons, excluding taxi, takeoff, and climb, indicating adequate fuel remained for the flight.
Forced Landing
The pilot called on the UNICOM frequency, reporting low fuel and requesting assistance to locate an airport. Another pilot provided vectors to Greenwood Airport. The last transmission from the pilot was: "I'm over a four-lane highway…no more fuel." He later stated he should have reported a lost engine instead. During the forced landing, the airplane struck two power lines and two utility poles, coming to rest on its right side with the left wing in a near-vertical position. A power line penetrated the left wing, breaching the left fuel tank, but the left wing did not burn or explode. The fuel selector was found selected to the left tank.
Post-Crash Fire
The right wing separated from the fuselage, and its fuel tank ruptured, leading to a fire. One witness observed fluid leaking from the left wing onto the engine compartment; when the fluid contacted the engine compartment, the fire flared up. He assumed the fluid was aviation fuel. Another witness smelled fuel and believed fuel sustained the post-crash fire. When the airplane was turned upright the day after the accident, less than one gallon of fuel was drained from the left fuel tank.
Investigation
Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction. The pilot had a total of 10 hours of experience in this make and model airplane, accumulated over approximately four years.