Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a loss of engine power while flying approximately 30 miles from the airport. The pilot reported that he attempted to find a suitable landing area and spotted a small dirt road. He maneuvered the airplane onto a base leg and then final approach to the road, but due to a strong tailwind, he overshot the intended landing site.
Emergency Landing and Rollover
After overshooting the road, the pilot turned the airplane to the right and set it down in the middle of the desert. The landing was initially soft, but the aircraft ran out of space and struck a ditch. The front tire dug in, causing the airplane to lift straight up before it slowly rolled over onto its top.
Investigation Findings
In a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot indicated that he had run out of fuel. Subsequent examination of the airplane's fuel system confirmed that the fuel tanks were empty. No other pre-impact anomalies were discovered during the inspection.