Accident Overview
A non-instrument rated private pilot was conducting the return leg of a 58.7 nautical mile cross-country flight at night under marginal VFR conditions. The weather included five miles visibility in mist and an overcast ceiling at 500 feet. As the pilot neared the destination airport, a witness—an automobile mechanic—heard the airplane flying low overhead from south to north. Although the witness could not see the aircraft, he described it as flying "low" with the engine sounding "good."
Engine Behavior
Shortly after the airplane passed over the witness's house, the engine began to "miss out" as if it were "starving for fuel." The witness reported this sound pattern.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the cockpit, forward fuselage, and the inboard section of the left wing—including the fuel tank—were consumed by post-impact fire. In contrast, the right wing and its fuel tank remained undamaged. The fuel selector was found set to the right fuel tank position.
Mechanical Findings
No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the airplane or the engine that could have prevented normal operations. The investigation did not identify any pre-impact failures.