Accident Details
A pilot reported that during the preflight inspection, the fuel gauges indicated each tank was half-full. The pilot did not visually inspect the fuel tanks to verify the indicated reading. After a 40-minute local flight, the engine lost power during the right turn to the base leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot recalled that the airplane's fuel gauge indicated that one-quarter of the fuel capacity remained.
Forced Landing and Damage
The pilot executed a force landing in a "flat" attitude on the desert. Upon touchdown, the nose landing gear dug into the soft, dry surface, causing the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder.
Pilot's Remarks
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by visually inspecting the fuel tanks using a fuel stick to assess the airplane's fuel quantity.