WPR11CA327

After takeoff, the pilot noticed that the airplane's battery was not operating and elected to continue the flight without the use of his left and right fuel gauge indicators. When the airplane was about 12 miles south of the pilot's intended destination, the airplane's engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a road, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The fuselage, wings, and rudder sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed there was no fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight.

After takeoff the pilot noticed that the airplane's battery was not operating and elected to continue the flight without the use of his left and right fuel gauge indicators, as required for flight under visual flight rules by CFR Part 91.205(b)(9). The pilot reported that 12 miles to the south of his intended destination, his engine sputtered and quit. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road and the airplane touched down nose wheel first and nosed over, coming to a rest inverted. The fuselage, wings, and rudder sustained substantial damage. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane post accident, the fuel caps made a hissing noise when initially removed and there was no fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal flight.