Incident Overview
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing that followed a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the fuel tanks were filled prior to departure and that fuel burn during the flight, estimated between 11 and 11.3 gallons per hour, aligned with the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH). The flight duration was approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes, and the POH listed the airplane's usable fuel capacity as 72 gallons.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that he alternated burning fuel from each tank during the flight and noticed that the fuel quantity indication did not match his expectations. For 30 to 45 minutes before the power loss, he had been planning diversions to alternate airports due to weather and fuel concerns. While burning fuel from the left tank, the engine lost power. The pilot switched to the right tank, and the engine restarted, allowing him to divert toward an airport about 5 to 6 miles away.
Approach and Go-Around
The pilot circled to lose altitude and initiated an approach to the runway. On final approach, he realized he was too high and executed a go-around. As he turned onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine lost power again. During the subsequent off-airport landing, the airplane impacted the ground in a wings-level attitude with the landing gear extended.
Pilot’s Assessment
The pilot believed that, although he closed the gascolator fuel drain from within the cockpit, the drain had remained open, allowing approximately 30 gallons of fuel to be lost during the flight. The preflight checklist procedures specify draining the gascolator prior to the external airplane examination. According to the airplane manufacturer, a leaking gascolator drain should be detectable during that external examination.