Incident Summary
During a cross-country flight, the pilot was leveling the descent and adding power when the engine failed to respond. The event occurred approximately 5 to 6 miles from the intended destination airport. The pilot immediately switched the fuel selector from the left to the right wing tank, but the engine did not regain power.
Actions Taken
Realizing that the destination airport was out of reach, the pilot redirected the aircraft toward a closer private airstrip. However, the approach did not align properly, and the airplane departed the runway surface. It continued across a taxiway, struck trees, and collided with a house, causing the left wing to shear off.
Post-Incident Findings
After the accident, investigators examined the fuel tanks. No evidence of fuel was found in the left tank, while 12 gallons of fuel were present in the right tank. Subsequent examination by FAA inspectors included an engine start-up using the airplane's own battery and fuel. The engine operated normally with no abnormalities detected.