Summary
The aircraft was refuelled before the flight in circumstances such that some fuel transfer between tanks may
have taken place. This would have resulted in a slight reduction in the total fuel carried, but allowance for
normal fuel reserves would have adequately provided for this contingency. The pilot considered, from past
experience of the type of operation and the power settings to be used, that the total endurance of the aircraft
would be 5 hours based on the full capacity of the tanks. After some 4 hours 40 minutes flying time the
aircraft was returning to Yanrey Station and was at a height of about 800 feet above terrain, when the engine
failed. The pilot noted that the fuel pressure was zero and he changed the fuel tank selection from "Left" to
"Both", turned on the fuel booster pump and checked that the fuel shut off valve was in the "On" position. The
engine did not regain power and the pilot carried out a forced landing in the only cleared area within gliding
distance. Towards the end of the landing roll the port mainplane struck a small tree, causing the aircraft to
veer to the left as it came to rest. Damage was confined to the outer leading edge of the port mainplane.
Subsequent to the landing, both fuel gauges were found to be reading 2 gallons, but there was no available fuel
in the tanks.
