Witness Account
A witness positioned near the approach end of the runway, monitoring the air traffic control tower frequency, reported hearing the tower clear the airplane to enter left traffic for runway 23. The witness observed the airplane enter the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern and noted that the airplane was flying at a very low altitude for that part of the pattern, estimated to be 300 to 500 feet above ground level. The pilot informed the tower that he was abeam the numbers for runway 28 and wished to land on that runway. The airplane then initiated a sharp turn, which appeared to lack significant bank, suggesting a skidding maneuver. As the airplane became parallel to runway 28, it wobbled, banked sharply left and right, and lost altitude. The witness stated that the airplane seemed to be in a landing-type attitude, with the nose not pointed downward. The airplane continued to wobble, momentarily straightened out, and then disappeared from sight behind hills and buildings.
Aircraft Examination
Following the incident, an examination of the airplane's fuel tanks was conducted. The right fuel tank was found to contain no fuel. The left fuel tank yielded six gallons of fuel upon recovery. The fuel selector valve in the cockpit was positioned on the right fuel tank. No other anomalies were discovered with the airplane.