Incident Details
During final approach, the aircraft's engine stopped, forcing the pilot to land in a field approximately one mile from the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported having flown for about 3 hours and 20 minutes, and the Hobbs meter indicated 4.3 hours of operation.
Investigation Findings
Post-incident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunction. The fuel selector had been secured prior to the aircraft examination. The left fuel tank contained less than two gallons of fuel, while the right tank had approximately 15 gallons remaining. The fuel quantity discrepancy suggests that fuel distribution may have contributed to the engine stoppage, though the investigation did not explicitly state a cause.
Fuel Status
The Hobbs meter reading of 4.3 hours, compared to the pilot's logged flight time of 3 hours 20 minutes, indicates additional ground or flight operation beyond the reported flight. The left tank's low fuel level and the right tank's substantial fuel volume indicate a possible fuel management issue, but the report does not draw specific conclusions.