Incident Overview
The pilot of a single-engine airplane reported that the aircraft had been flown for 1.8 hours prior to his departure and that he did not refuel before taking off. He estimated that approximately two and a half hours of fuel remained in the tanks at departure.
Loss of Engine Power
About two hours into the flight, while the airplane was receiving radar vectors for an approach back to Gulfport, the engine lost power. The pilot subsequently selected a paved road and attempted an emergency landing.
Forced Landing and Collision
During the forced landing on the road, the airplane collided with a tree. No injuries were reported.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the aircraft's fuel system recovered approximately one and a half gallons of aviation fuel. According to the aircraft operator's manual, approximately one and a half gallons of fuel in the system are considered unusable. A subsequent examination of the engine did not disclose any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.
Conclusion
The evidence indicates that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion, as the amount of fuel remaining was below the usable quantity. The pilot's decision not to refuel before the flight resulted in insufficient fuel to complete the planned journey.