Accident Details
The pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight at an altitude below 4,000 feet mean sea level with the throttle at full power. She reported that she did not lean the mixture. Her estimated fuel consumption was between 7.3 and 7.6 gallons per hour. After approximately 3.3 hours of flight, the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The airplane has a total fuel capacity of 26.0 gallons, with 22.5 gallons usable.
Pilot Actions
During the flight, the pilot briefly considered stopping en route for additional fuel due to increased headwinds but decided to continue. While making a shallow turn to enter the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot executed an emergency off-airport landing about 6 miles from the destination.
Postaccident Findings
The airplane impacted trees and bushes in a thickly wooded area, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, both ailerons, the engine mount, the fuselage, and the empennage. A postaccident examination revealed that only a trace of fuel remained in the tanks. The pilot attributed the lack of more serious injuries to her use of a shoulder harness, stating she would never again fly an airplane not equipped with one.