Accident Overview
During the initial climb after takeoff, one engine experienced a power loss. The pilot managed to regain control and continued to fly the landing pattern. On the downwind leg, the engines ran intermittently. While turning onto final approach, both engines stopped. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open pasture approximately 1,500 feet short of the runway.
Fuel Management
The pilot reported that he had refueled based on time flown and estimated a fuel consumption of 15 gallons per hour. He was planning a single circuit of the traffic pattern. He estimated the main tanks to contain 7 gallons each. When asked how he arrived at that estimate, the pilot stated, "When he looked into the main tanks he wanted to see 7 gallons and that's what he saw." The tank selector was positioned to the main tanks. After the accident, the main tanks contained less than a pint of fuel, while the auxiliary tanks contained one gallon each.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants received minor injuries. During the forced landing, the landing gear was damaged and the aircraft collided with a tree, which separated a wing.