Flight Sequence
The pilot reported that during preflight he observed the fuel tanks as half full. He departed from Wetumpka Municipal Airport and flew to Autauga County Airport in Prattville, Alabama, where he performed three touch-and-go landings and local flying. He then returned to Wetumpka for four touch-and-go landings. Subsequently, the pilot decided to fly to Auburn, Alabama.
While en route, the pilot stated that he fell asleep and the left fuel tank ran empty. His next recollection was the aircraft impacting the ground in a cotton field.
Accident and Examination
Examination of the aircraft revealed a wreckage path approximately 50 feet long on a heading of 210 degrees. All three landing gears had separated from the airframe. Both propeller blades were bent aft with no rotational twisting. The engine mount was broken. The throttle control was found in the closed position, the mixture was full rich, and the fuel selector was positioned to the left tank. No fuel was present in the left fuel tank, but 10 to 15 gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank.
The pilot stated that the left fuel tank ran empty. Examination found no fuel in the left tank, while 10 to 15 gallons remained in the right tank.