What happened
During the descent phase, approximately 15 minutes prior to arriving at the destination airport, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the pilot performed a fuel tank switch, which briefly restored power. However, the engine subsequently failed to maintain power for the remainder of the flight. The pilot performed a forced landing on a highway during nighttime hours. During the landing sequence, the right wing of the aircraft type struck an object and became detached from the fuselage. The aircraft ultimately came to rest in an inverted position.
Findings
An investigation conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector included a post-accident examination of the aircraft's fuel system. The inspection revealed that the fuel lines leading to the fuel manifold and the manifold valves themselves were dry. While the fuel strainer, diaphragm, and fuel filter within the dual manifold showed no notable irregularities, fuel was present in the gascolator. Although the pilot initially suggested fuel exhaustion and later suggested fuel contamination, the inspector found no evidence of fuel contamination within the fuel system. Additionally, records from the departure airport's fixed-base operator indicated that the pilot had originally requested 20 gallons of fuel before canceling the request.