What happened
Following an initial climb to 8,000 feet, the pilot observed fuel escaping through the left fuel tank cap. For the subsequent hour and twenty minutes, the flight continued using only the left tank, attempting to consume the remaining fuel before it was entirely lost. Approximately six miles north of Athens, Georgia, the engine lost power, prompting the pilot to request emergency clearance from Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) for a landing at Athens. The pilot reported that adjusting the mixture control allowed the engine to resume normal operation. After notifying ARTCC, the flight proceeded northward. About 24 miles further along the route, the engine failed again. The pilot executed an intentional gear-up landing in an unimproved pasture.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the wreckage confirmed significant fuel leakage originating from the left tank cap. No fuel remained in the left tank at the time of impact. A successful test run of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions, indicating the engine itself was operational prior to fuel starvation.