Incident Overview
Approximately two hours and 50 minutes into a cross-country flight at 1,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot observed the fuel gauges indicating low fuel in the right tank and half fuel in the left tank. About ten minutes later, the airplane experienced a loss of manifold pressure, with the fuel gauges then showing the right tank empty and the left tank still indicating half full.
Forced Landing
The pilot elected to land on a rural road. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the event.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed little evidence of fuel. Additionally, investigators found a crack in the fuel line running from the firewall to the input side of the gascolator.
Analysis
The pilot's fuel gauge indications and the subsequent loss of manifold pressure suggest fuel starvation. The cracked fuel line may have allowed fuel to escape, but the report does not establish a direct causal link.