What happened
While en route on a flight, the pilot decided to climb above the weather rather than attempt to fly through it. At approximately 12,000 feet MSL, while positioned over the weather system, the pilot encountered an engine problem. He immediately initiated emergency procedures and notified Dayton Approach Control regarding the issue.
Despite his efforts, the pilot was unable to restart the engine. Consequently, he executed a crash landing in a plowed field during dusk conditions. The aircraft sustained significant damage as a result of the impact.
The investigation
Following the accident, an examination of the aircraft and its engine was conducted to determine the cause of the failure. The inspection revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure within the engine components prior to the incident.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot's decision to climb over weather, combined with the subsequent inability to restart the engine, resulted in the forced landing. There were no indications of pre-existing mechanical issues with the aircraft systems.