Accident Details
The pilot of a single-engine airplane reported a loss of engine power during cruise flight at night. According to the pilot, the engine failed because the airplane ran out of fuel. He stated that he had not refueled the aircraft since earlier in the week, despite conducting a previous cross-country flight. The accident flight was the pilot's second trip of the day.
Fuel Planning
The pilot performed mental calculations before departing on the first leg of the accident flight, believing he had sufficient fuel for both legs. However, about 30 minutes into the second leg, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to divert to an airport for an emergency landing but realized the airplane would not reach it. He then chose to land on a road, using the tail lights of an automobile as a reference.
Impact
During the landing on the road, the right wing struck a road sign. The airplane then veered into a ditch and brush. The pilot noted that the accident could have been avoided if he had refueled before either leg of the flight.