Accident Details
The aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power while en route, approximately 12 miles from its intended destination. The pilot performed a forced landing on a road. During the landing, the airplane's right wing collided with a sign.
Fuel Management
Prior to takeoff, the pilot visually inspected the fuel level by looking inside the fuel tanks. He estimated that the airplane had about 5.5 hours of fuel on board. The planned cross-country flight was expected to last about 3 hours and was conducted in dark night conditions.
Emergency Response
After the engine lost power, the pilot attempted to restart it by following the procedures outlined in the emergency checklist. The restart attempt was unsuccessful. The pilot then executed a forced landing on the road.
Pilot Assessment
The pilot believed that the accident resulted from fuel exhaustion. No mechanical issues with the airplane had been reported prior to the accident.