Incident Overview
During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing on a highway. The aircraft subsequently collided with obstacles during the landing.
Pre-Flight Fuel Inspection
Before departure, the pilot conducted a visual inspection of the airplane's fuel tanks but did not use a dipstick or any other means to quantify the fuel on board. He estimated that the right fuel tank held approximately three-quarters capacity and deemed it the fullest. The pilot then set the fuel selector to the right tank and departed, choosing not to wait for refueling.
Flight and Engine Failure
The pilot left the fuel selector on the right tank for the entire duration of the flight. Engine power was lost while the aircraft was in cruise, leading to the emergency landing.
Post-Accident Investigation
A post-accident examination by an airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic revealed that the right fuel tank was completely dry. The left tank still contained between half an inch and one inch of fuel. After refueling the aircraft, an engine run-up was performed, which found no discrepancies with the engine, its fuel flow, or the engine-driven and electrical fuel pumps.
Pilot's Remarks
Following the incident, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by "not relying on the fuel gage" and by sticking the tanks "with a paint stick or something appropriate" instead of relying solely on visual inspection to accurately determine fuel quantity in the tanks.