Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a low fuel light illumination approximately 15 minutes from the intended destination. The aircraft continued flying for about 10 minutes before the engines sputtered and ceased operation.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that the approach to the runway was too fast, resulting in a bounce during touchdown. The landing gear was then retracted, and the pilot attempted to find a suitable field or road for an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually came to rest on a frozen pond.
Post-Accident Findings
An examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed less than 2 gallons of fuel onboard. The probable cause was determined to be a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors included improper preflight planning, inadequate fuel supply management, and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. During the forced landing, the aircraft struck tree(s).