What happened
A pilot was conducting a planned cross-country round trip when the aircraft experienced a progressive loss of engine power. Before the initial departure, the pilot checked the fuel totalizer, which showed 89 gallons on board. The first leg of the trip proceeded without incident, and the pilot added 20 gallons of fuel at the destination. During the subsequent departure for the return leg, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges indicated levels between one-quarter and one-third full.
While in the cruise phase of flight, the pilot notified air traffic control that one engine had lost power. Approximately five minutes later, the pilot reported that both engines had ceased functioning. Due to the inability to reach a suitable airport, the pilot performed an emergency landing on soft and uneven ground. During the landing rollout, the aircraft nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed a significant discrepancy between the planned fuel usage and the actual fuel remaining. While the pilot's flight plan and initial checks suggested sufficient fuel, the calculated fuel burn for the entire round trip was approximately 106 gallons. An inspection by the FAA found only an estimated 2 gallons of fuel in one tank, while the other tank was completely empty. No mechanical failures were reported by the pilot, suggesting that fuel exhaustion was the primary factor in the engine failure.