Accident Overview
The pilot of a single-engine airplane departed on a cross-country flight without visually checking the fuel quantity in the main tanks, relying instead on fuel gauges that indicated the left tank was 2/3 full and the right tank was 1/2 full. Both wingtip fuel tanks were empty at departure. The fuel selector was positioned on the left main tank at departure.
Flight and Missed Approach
During the en route portion of the flight, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right main tank. He observed that the right fuel gauge needle was not moving as the flight progressed. The flight to the destination airport was otherwise uneventful, and the pilot conducted an instrument approach. Due to low clouds, he executed a missed approach. During the missed approach, he entered visual conditions and requested permission from air traffic control (ATC) to maintain visual conditions and circle to land.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
As the pilot turned crosswind, the engine began to run rough and lost power. He attempted to restart the engine twice while preparing for a forced landing to a closer runway. He did not have time to switch the fuel selector back to the left tank. The airplane struck trees and landed short of the runway threshold.
Postaccident Examination
Examination after the accident revealed substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The landing gear was also damaged. Neither the left nor right wing fuel tanks were breached. About 20 ounces of fuel were drained from the right main tank, and about 21 gallons of fuel were drained from the left main tank.
Pilot Acknowledgment
The pilot acknowledged that, though the right fuel gauge was not reading properly, he should have monitored fuel burn rate over a given period of time instead of relying solely on the fuel gauge.