Accident Details
While on final approach to the runway, the pilot neglected to switch from the right empty fuel tank to the left tank, which was half full. As a result, at approximately 100 feet above the ground on short final, the engine ran out of fuel. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching to the left tank and activating the boost pump, full throttle, and mixture controls, but the engine did not restart.
A forced landing was initiated. The airplane touched down approximately 30 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed after striking the 6-inch lip of the runway pavement. The airplane came to a stop upright on the runway, about 65 yards from the approach end.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the probable cause as the pilot's neglect to switch fuel tanks, resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.