What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot and passenger did not perform a check of the fuel quantity. While the aircraft was approaching its destination, the engine performance began to fluctuate, with RPM dropping between 2,500 and 500. The pilot notified air traffic controllers that the aircraft had run out of fuel.
Following the engine failure, the pilot initially attempted a forced landing in a shopping mall parking lot. After observing vehicles in the lot, the pilot executed a second forced landing on the roof of the mall. The occupants were not injured.
The investigation
Post-crash examinations conducted by the FAA and Fire Department personnel determined that the aircraft contained no usable fuel. There was no evidence of any fuel leakage occurring either before or after the crash.
Mechanical inspections focused on the engine and fuel system. The carburetor was replaced, and the engine was subsequently started and operated at full power without any signs of malfunction. A teardown examination of the original carburetor revealed no evidence of failure or malfunction, and all fuel lines were found to be unobstructed.
According to the aircraft operator, the aircraft had flown 4.5 hours since its last refueling. The aircraft has a total usable fuel capacity of 24.5 gallons and an estimated consumption rate of approximately 6 gallons per flight hour.