Incident Overview
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft visually inspected the fuel level before departure and estimated 15 to 16 gallons remaining. Since the flight was planned for 30 to 45 minutes, no additional fuel was added. Approximately 30 to 35 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power.
Forced Landing
The pilot executed a forced landing in a pasture. To avoid hitting cows, the pilot intentionally steered the aircraft toward trees. The airplane subsequently struck two trees and a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Post-Accident Investigation
Examination of the fuel system revealed only traces of fuel remaining in the fuel tanks. The pilot suspected that fuel had drained from the aircraft. Beads of fuel were observed on the gascolator drain, but there was no evidence of a large fuel leak. A check of the fuel gauges indicated that the right gauge showed an empty tank, while the left gauge fluctuated between a quarter full and empty.
Conclusion
The investigation confirmed fuel exhaustion as the cause of the engine power loss, with no evidence of a significant fuel leak. The pilot's preflight fuel estimate proved insufficient for the duration of the flight.