What happened
The pilot reported experiencing a loss of power and stated that it was not possible to reach the airport. During the subsequent forced landing attempt, the aircraft collided with trees before coming to rest in a farmyard. The landing was hard, and the gear remained up.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left fuel tank was empty. In contrast, the right fuel tank was full. The fuel selector was found positioned on the left tank setting. Analysis of the fuel system indicated it contained approximately one ounce of fuel at the time of the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight. This error resulted in fuel exhaustion, which led to the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing.