Incident Overview
The pilot was conducting a local flight to demonstrate the airplane to a prospective buyer interested in purchasing the same make and model. While on final approach, the airplane experienced a loss of power. The subsequent forced landing resulted in the aircraft coming to rest suspended in a tree.
Fire Chief's Observations
The Fire Chief responded to the scene and noted that the nose of the aircraft was straight down in the trees. He observed fuel dripping from the right wing but could not determine if it was running from the left side and dripping from the right or originating solely from the right wing.
Investigation Findings
An FAA Airworthiness Inspector examined the airplane and found that the left fuel tank was compromised during the accident sequence. The right fuel tank remained intact but contained no fuel. Despite the damage, the airplane's engine started and ran on the airframe using the airplane's own fuel system.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that a review of his records indicated the airplane had flown approximately 2 to 2.5 hours since the last fuel service. He estimated the fuel burn rate averaged 10 gallons per hour. The airplane's total fuel capacity was 52 gallons, with 26 gallons per wing tank.