Pilot Account
The pilot stated that approximately one and a half hours into the flight, while proceeding back to the airport to drop off the banner, the engine suddenly began to operate rough and the engine RPMs decreased. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude with the reduction in engine power. Shortly thereafter, the engine started to cough and the propeller revolutions slowed. The pilot performed the emergency checklist and attempted to restart the engine, but it would not start. He then searched for a safe area to drop the banner and executed a precautionary landing on a golf course. During the landing, the right main landing gear wheel struck a "roll" in the fairway, resulting in damage to the airplane. The pilot noted that the fuel gauge indicated over a quarter of a tank of fuel, and he did not list any other mechanical failure or malfunction of the airplane or its systems.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector who responded to the accident examined the airplane and found minimal fuel on board. There was no evidence of any fuel having exited the airplane as a result of the accident. During an interview, the pilot told the inspector that he had not placed any fuel in the airplane on the day of the accident. The pilot also described his preflight fuel quantity check: he attempted to feel the fuel by placing his finger in the refueling access, could not feel any fuel, then shook the airplane, causing fuel to splash onto his finger.
Operational Information
Information obtained from the operator showed that fuel had last been purchased and placed in the accident airplane's fuel tanks the day before the accident. Another pilot employed by the operator had flown the airplane for approximately two and a half hours on that day.