Accident Overview
The airplane was fueled prior to departure with 86.82 gallons of fuel, bringing the total onboard to 90 gallons. The pilot stated that he departed at approximately 0830 that morning. The flight proceeded without incident until the descent toward the intended airport, at which time the fuel gauge and calculations indicated 30 to 40 minutes of fuel remaining.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
During the descent, the engine began running rough and then stopped. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. He subsequently elected to perform a forced landing on a road that was under construction. During the landing roll, the airplane ran into a ditch and nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
Fire department personnel at the scene reported observing no fuel leaking from the aircraft. Subsequent examination revealed that the fuel strainer and the two reservoir tanks in the fuselage contained a total of 4 ounces of fuel. The flow divider held a negligible amount of fuel.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he must have run out of fuel. He further indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or any of its systems.