Accident Sequence
The pilot reported filling the airplane's fuel tanks to capacity, totaling 36 gallons, before departing to the banner tow site, a flight of approximately two hours. After picking up a banner, the pilot flew for about 35 minutes before returning it to the airport. He then departed to an airport approximately 27 miles away to refuel. Upon landing, the fuel pump was locked, so he flew to a second airport about 20 miles away. En route, the weather began to deteriorate, and the pilot decided to turn around, subsequently diverting to a third airport.
About seven miles from that airport, the engine completely lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a railroad track. During the landing rollout, the airplane's right wing struck a pole. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident. When fuel was plumbed to the engine, it started and ran with no anomalies.