Narrative
While approaching the destination airport, the pilot switched from the left to the right fuel tank, estimating that each tank held about 40 minutes of fuel. Approximately 10 minutes after the switch, fuel pressure dropped and the engine lost power. The pilot immediately returned the fuel selector to the left tank, and the engine restarted. The pilot then requested priority handling from air traffic control. As the aircraft neared the airport, the engine quit entirely, and the pilot performed a forced landing in a residential area.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed no usable fuel remained onboard. There was no evidence of fuel leakage during the flight or after the accident. The engine was inspected and showed no signs of pre-crash mechanical failure or malfunction. The carburetor throat exhibited dark staining consistent with operation at a rich fuel mixture.
Pilot Information
The pilot reported that the flight departed with 48 gallons of fuel. At the time of the engine failure, the flight had been airborne for 4.7 hours, indicating an average fuel consumption of approximately 10.1 gallons per hour. The pilot stated that the engine normally consumes about 9 gallons per hour during cruise, and that he leans the fuel mixture in accordance with the manufacturer's procedures.