Accident Description
During the final segment of a cross-country flight, the aircraft encountered a loss of engine power while on approach to landing. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees and came to rest approximately 300 yards north of the approach end of the runway.
Witness Account
A witness located near the airport reported hearing an aircraft on approach. The witness then heard the engine surge and rev loudly three times before it went silent. About ten seconds after the silence, the witness heard a loud crash. The witness proceeded toward the sound and found the aircraft near one of the outlying lights of the approach lighting system. The witness noted no smell of fuel at the accident site.
Examination Findings
An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the aircraft. The left main fuel tank had been compromised, and the right main fuel tank contained five gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was found positioned to the auxiliary tanks. According to the before-landing checklist in the aircraft flight manual, the fuel selector must be positioned to the "Main Tank More Nearly Full" prior to landing.
The inspector removed the inlet and outlet lines from the fuel manifold and observed no fuel in any of the lines.
Conclusion
The investigation documented the sequence of events and the condition of the fuel system components as found. No analysis or causal factors are provided in the source.