What happened
During a flight lasting approximately 2 3/4 hours, the pilot performed a preflight inspection of the aircraft which indicated that the fuel tanks appeared to be full, with levels no more than 2 inches below the top of the tanks. As the aircraft approached its destination airport, the engine power began to fluctuate.
The pilot checked the fuel quantity gauges and observed that the right tank was empty while the left tank was 3/4 full. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot used the throttle and pumped the primer. The pilot also executed a 60-degree right bank in an attempt to move fuel between the tanks. During this maneuver, the engine caught and cut out several times. Upon leveling the aircraft, the engine stopped completely and the propeller ceased turning.
The pilot performed an emergency landing, touching down in a frozen and swampy area, which caused the aircraft to nose over. The occupants were not injured.
The investigation
Postaccident investigation of the aircraft revealed that there was no fuel present in the fuel tanks, the fuel strainer, or the carburetor. No mechanical malfunctions were identified occurring prior to the impact. An examination of the airplane logs and refueling records showed that approximately 4 3/4 hours of flight had occurred since the last refueling.