Accident Overview
A single-engine airplane collided with residential homes after the pilot reported fuel exhaustion while conducting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. The accident occurred following a sequence of events involving weather conditions, fuel management, and air traffic control interactions.
Pre-Flight and Departure
The pilot received a weather briefing indicating visual flight rules (VFR) conditions for the planned cross-country flight, though the possibility of fog was forecast. The aircraft departed with approximately 2 hours of fuel onboard.
Arrival and Diversion
Upon reaching the destination airport, the pilot encountered fog and requested an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance to an alternate airport. The pilot reported having 1 hour of fuel remaining.
Approach Attempts
The controller provided radar vectors and cleared the pilot for the ILS approach. The pilot missed the approach and received vectors for a second attempt. The controller canceled the second clearance when the aircraft was observed low and left of course. The pilot then advised the controller of a fuel-critical situation with about 25 minutes of fuel.
Final Moments
The controller vectored the aircraft to intercept the localizer. Subsequently, the pilot transmitted "out of fuel." The controller informed the pilot that the aircraft was 8 nautical miles from the airport. Radar contact was lost when the airplane was 6 miles from the airport at an altitude of 200 feet.
Post-Impact Findings
The integrity of the fuel tanks was compromised during the impact. No fuel was found in the tanks, and no physical evidence of fuel was discovered at the accident site.