Flight Planning and Departure
The pilot contacted the Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS) five times to plan a trip to Cedar City, Utah. The flight departed Boulder, Colorado, at 0908 and landed at Nucla, Colorado, at 1122 due to weather conditions.
Continued Flight and Fuel Emergency
The pilot departed Nucla at 1207 without refueling. At 1324, he received an in-flight IFR clearance and proceeded toward Cedar City in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). At 1431, the pilot declared minimum fuel, and at 1443, he declared an emergency for fuel exhaustion. The pilot reported that the engine started, and at 1450, he stated he was circling to the ground. Although the pilot did not indicate whether the engine was running during the final minute of flight, physical evidence at the accident site suggested it was not.
Weather and Recovery
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, driving southwest on Interstate 15 approximately 7,000 feet south of the impact point at the time of the accident, reported mist, light rain mixed with light snow, and visibility estimated at five car lengths. An Air Force helicopter located the downed airplane at 1608.
Fuel Examination
Examination of the aircraft at the accident scene revealed no indications of fuel.