NTSB Factual Report

The airplane was damaged during a forced landing to a road following a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he had amended his route of flight to land at a nearby airport for fuel. He stated that shortly after receiving a landing clearance, the engine quit. He stated that he elected to land on a road because he realized he would not be able to make the airport. During the landing, the pilot saw a road sign that he didn't think he could clear and so the pilot elected to land on the grass adjacent to an exit ramp. During the landing, the nose landing gear broke off of the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no useable fuel remaining in the airplane. An interview of the pilot by the inspector revealed that the pilot did not visually check the fuel quantity prior to the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper preflight planning which led to the exhaustion of the fuel supply during the flight. The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor.