DEN04CA121

While en route on a cross-country flight, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges read low. Subsequently the airplane's engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a pinion tree causing substantial damage. An examination of the airplane showed no fuel in either fuel tank. No other anomalies were found.

On July 22, 2004, at approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7064P, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during a forced landing near Model, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Las Vegas, Nevada, at approximately 0635 and was en route to Lamar, Colorado.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was en route to Steubenville, Ohio, with a planned fuel stop in Lamar, Colorado. Approximately 8 nautical miles northeast of Trinidad, Colorado, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges were low and subsequently the engine lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a pinion tree bending both the right and left wings, wrinkling the left aft portion of the fuselage and separating the engine and cowling from the fuselage. During the airplane recovery, no fuel was recovered from either fuel tank. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies.