Accident Details
A pilot and a passenger were on a planned flight. The pilot reported that he had flown the route several times before and had planned the flight to return with 8/10th of an hour of fuel to spare.
While cruising at 3,000 feet mean sea level, the airplane's engine lost power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and began searching for a suitable landing area. The passenger indicated seeing something, possibly a field, to the right side of the airplane. The pilot turned toward that area but could not discern any landing site. When the landing lights illuminated trees ahead, the pilot stated he 'instinctively pulled back and tried to turn left. I hit the trees.'
Examination Findings
The airplane's elapsed time indicator read 2523.2 hours when signed out, and 2529.9 hours when examined at the accident site. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel lines or the carburetor. A total of 20 ounces of fuel was recovered from the left wing tank. The pilot survived the accident and was found five days later by search and rescue personnel.