What happened
The airplane was engaged in cruise flight when it experienced a complete loss of engine power. Just prior to the event, the pilot maintained contact with air traffic control and explicitly reported that he had suffered from fuel exhaustion. Unable to restart the engine or reach an airport, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. The aircraft ultimately collided with grapevines during this descent.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators conducted a thorough examination of the airplane to determine the mechanical status of the fuel system. The inspection revealed that there was absolutely no fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. Furthermore, the examination found no evidence of fuel spillage or any rupture of the fuel tanks, which supported the conclusion that the engine stopped due to depletion rather than mechanical failure or leakage.
Findings
The primary factor leading to this incident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot's report and the physical evidence confirmed that the engine ceased operation because the aircraft ran out of fuel. This lack of power necessitated an emergency landing away from designated airfields, resulting in damage to the airplane upon impact with the vineyard.