Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that approximately 15 minutes before reaching the destination airport during descent, the engine lost power. After switching fuel tanks, the engine momentarily regained power but then stopped producing power. The pilot stated he believed the engine "was still running all the way to impact." The pilot executed a forced landing on a highway at night. During the landing, the right wing struck an object and separated from the airplane. The airplane came to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) performed a post-accident examination of the airplane. The inspector reported that the fuel lines to the fuel manifold were dry, and the fuel manifold valves were dry. The fuel strainer, diaphragm, and fuel filter in the fuel manifold were unremarkable. However, fuel was found in the gascolator. During an interview with the pilot, the inspector noted that "the pilot changed his story from fuel exhaustion, to fuel contamination." The inspector reported no signs of fuel contamination during the examination of the airplane's fuel system.
Fuel Request
According to the fixed base operator (FBO) at the departure airport, the pilot initially requested 20 gallons of fuel. He subsequently canceled his fuel request and walked out of the FBO.