What happened
The pilot departed Manhattan, Kansas, on a flight destined for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot refueled the aircraft by adding ten gallons specifically to the left main fuel tank. According to the pilot's account, this action filled both main tanks completely. The pilot reported that the right auxiliary tank was empty and estimated that approximately five gallons remained in the left auxiliary tank.
During the return flight back to Manhattan, the pilot managed the fuel supply by consuming all available fuel from the right tank first. While feeding from the left main tank, the engine experienced a complete failure. At the time of the power loss, the aircraft was located approximately four miles from the destination airport. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed a forced landing in a plowed field nearby. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed critical discrepancies regarding the fuel state. Inspectors found no fuel remaining in either the left or right main tanks, despite the pilot's earlier assertion that they were full. The fuel selector valve was discovered in the position corresponding to the left main tank, confirming the source of feed during the final phase of flight.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates a failure to maintain adequate fuel supply for the duration of the flight. The discrepancy between the pilot's estimation of fuel quantity and the physical evidence suggests improper refueling procedures or inaccurate fuel gauging. The engine failure was directly caused by fuel exhaustion resulting from the depletion of usable fuel reserves.