Flight and Fuel Planning
The pilot was operating under an instrument flight rules flight plan, filed for an altitude of 6,000 feet and a planned flight time of 5 hours. According to the pilot's statement, the airplane contained 50 gallons of fuel, of which 48 gallons were usable, providing what the pilot described as "enough for 6 hours of endurance."
Fuel Gauge Indications and Engine Failure
Approximately 10 nautical miles from the destination, the pilot observed that the left fuel gauge indicated "empty" and the right fuel gauge was "just above empty." The pilot estimated that about 6 gallons of fuel remained. Shortly after, at an altitude of 3,200 feet, the engine "quit."
Forced Landing Attempt
When the pilot regained visual contact with the ground at approximately 2,500 feet, he noticed a baseball field to his right "less than a half mile away" and attempted to turn toward it. During the turn, the airplane "lost altitude quickly and the right wing struck a tree."
Damage and Examination
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The engine, engine mounts, and firewall were pushed aft into the instrument panel, and the upper fuselage was buckled. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the fuel tanks and fuel lines were dry, and the propeller exhibited no signs of rotation on impact. The engine could be rotated by hand, and compression was obtained on all cylinders. Both the pilot and the FAA inspector reported no mechanical malfunctions.
Aircraft Performance Data
According to information from the airplane's FAA-approved flight manual, the engine consumed approximately 8.4 gallons per hour at 75% power when leaned to the manufacturer's specifications.
Pilot's Awareness of Wind Conditions
The pilot stated that he was aware of strong headwinds forecasted for his route of flight, but they were about what he had expected and planned for during his pre-flight calculations.