Accident Sequence
En route, the pilot observed that the fuel gauges were fluctuating and eventually indicated empty. He declared an emergency and diverted to a nearby airport. During the approach, the airplane was too high. Despite performing a slip and S-turns, he landed long. The aircraft overran the departure end of the runway and struck a fence.
Damage and Examination
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that, aside from the erratic fuel indication on the fuel gauges, no other mechanical malfunctions or failures existed with the airplane prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of landing, the engine was still running. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed an adequate amount of fuel in the fuel tanks.