ACFT 'CRASH LANDED' ON CRE.

Narrative

I HAD BEEN SWITCHING FROM TANK TO TANK TO BURN THE FUEL LOAD EVENLY. AFTER BURNING 2 HRS OF FUEL FROM THE L TANK; I CLOSED IT AND CONTINUED FLYING ON THE R FUEL TANK. 20 TO 30 MI FROM CRE ARPT I NOTED THE L FUEL TANK READING EMPTY. UNSURE OF THE PROB AND SUSPECTING INDICATION; I CONTINUED ON THE R FUEL TANK. 5 MI FROM THE ARPT THE R TANK WAS PRACTICALLY EMPTY SO I SWITCHED TO THE L FUEL TANK. AFTER 10 SECONDS OF FLYING THE ENG CUT OUT. I THEN SWITCHED BACK TO THE R FUEL TANK AND GOT THE ENG RESTARTED. AS I GLIDED THE AIRPLANE IN FOR AN EMER LNDG; I LOOKED OUT FOR A PLACE TO LAND AND NOTED THE L FUEL CAP MISSING. THE FUEL CAP HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE FUEL HAD BEEN SIPHONED OUT OF THE TANK. I CRASH LANDED ON THE ARPT FIELD AFTER STRIKING ONE OF THE APCH LIGHTING POLES. MY FUEL CAP WAS THE TYPE THAT LOCKS WITH A QUARTER TURN AND THE FIN FAIRED TO THE WIND. THIS FUEL CAP CAME OFF EITHER BECAUSE I DID NOT NOTICE IT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED OR IT VIBRATED LOOSE FROM WEAR. THIS TYPE OF FUEL CAP SHOULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF SAFETY LOCK TO ENSURE IT IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND LOCKED IN A WAY THAT IT DOES NOT FALL OFF FROM VIBRATION.