What happened
The pilot reported that the airplane was experiencing low fuel conditions and elected to divert to Adel, Georgia. Due to concerns regarding the remaining fuel status, the pilot decided to execute a straight-in landing on runway 15. At the time of the approach, runway 5 was the designated active runway, while runway 15 was clearly marked as closed. During the landing roll on the closed runway, the airplane collided with a wood block.
The investigation
Following the event, an examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the condition of the systems and structure. All fuel tanks were found to be intact, and fuel was present in all four fuel tanks. A subsequent engine examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or abnormalities that would have contributed to the incident.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the decision to land on a closed runway despite it being marked as such. The pilot's concern about fuel status influenced the choice of runway, but the presence of fuel in all tanks suggests the immediate cause was not total fuel exhaustion at the moment of impact. The collision with the wood block occurred during the landing roll on the unauthorized surface.