Event Summary
According to the pilot's report, prior to departure the fuel gauges indicated both tanks were full, but the pilot did not visually verify the fuel quantity. During the flight near Emporia, Kansas, the engine lost power while using fuel from the left tank. The pilot moved the fuel selector to the right tank and turned on the electric fuel pump, which increased fuel pressure and restarted the engine. Although an airport was available at Emporia, the pilot elected to continue to his destination at Lawrence, Kansas. Later in the flight, both fuel gauge indications dropped to zero. The pilot pushed on the gauges, and both returned to full indication before becoming erratic. As he approached Lawrence, the engine lost power again and would not restart. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a road, but utility poles and wires paralleled the road, so he elected to make a wheels-up landing in a rough pasture.
Examination Findings
The post-incident examination revealed an electrical open circuit between the fuel indicators and the electrical ground.