Event Details
During the landing approach, the airplane was approximately 1 mile from the runway threshold at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level when the engine lost power. The total flight time at the time of the incident was 4 hours and 18 minutes.
Post-Accident Examination
The chief flight instructor examined the aircraft and found the fuel tanks intact but empty, with no fuel present in the tanks or the gascolator. The assistant director of maintenance inspected the engine and fuel system and found no discrepancies.
Operator's Report
The operator reported that the student pilot was unable to produce any flight planning or fuel planning documentation for the return flight. An air traffic control controller stated that the pilot had terminated flight following approximately 15 minutes before proceeding to the destination airport, prior to maneuvering.
Test Flight Results
The operator conducted a test flight in the same make and model of airplane along the flight route. With a headwind of 3 knots, the test flight consumed 38.4 gallons of fuel, out of a total usable fuel capacity of 46 gallons. The operator stated that headwinds of 13 knots combined with 15 minutes of flight maneuvering would have depleted the remaining fuel.