What happened
The pilot departed from a private airstrip to perform an aerial application mission. This was the third flight of the day, and the pilot chose not to refuel prior to departure. While in cruise flight at an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power resulting from fuel exhaustion.
In response to the power loss, the pilot initiated a right turn toward a designated forced landing area. During the descent, the landing gear struck trees, which led to the crash of the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Investigators performed an examination of the airframe, flight control systems, engine assembly, and various accessories. This inspection revealed no evidence of any mechanical failure or malfunction occurring prior to the crash. Furthermore, inspections of the main fuel tank and the reservoir tank showed that they contained only a trace amount of fuel.