What happened
The pilot reported that the aircraft suffered an engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion while located approximately five nautical miles from the intended destination. In response to the loss of power, he initiated a forced landing procedure targeting a paved highway.
During the approach, a vehicle traveling on the road obstructed the landing path. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft laterally to allow the car to pass safely. He then attempted to realign with the roadway for a continued landing attempt. However, the aircraft touched down short of the road surface. Upon impact, the nose section collapsed, causing the aircraft to roll onto its back.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed significant structural damage consistent with the described sequence of events. The vertical stabilizer, both wings, and the fuselage were bent and wrinkled. These deformations support the account of a hard landing followed by a rollover onto the dorsal side of the airframe.
Findings
The pilot noted that he had previously flown over an airport approximately 30 to 40 minutes prior to the accident. He acknowledged that stopping for fuel at that location was a viable option that was not taken. The failure to refuel during that earlier opportunity directly contributed to the fuel exhaustion that led to the forced landing and subsequent damage.