What happened
During a cross-country flight, the pilot encountered a critical shortage of fuel. Recognizing the situation, the pilot altered the aircraft's course toward another airport in an attempt to reach a safe landing site. However, the engine failed before the new destination could be reached. The failure was attributed to fuel exhaustion. The pilot executed an emergency landing in an open field, during which the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot provided details regarding the sequence of events. It was confirmed that the engine ceased operation due to a lack of fuel before the intended alternate airport could be reached. The subsequent forced landing resulted in significant structural damage to the airframe.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was the depletion of the aircraft's fuel supply. The pilot's decision to alter course indicates an attempt to mitigate the situation, but the engine failure occurred prior to reaching a suitable airport. The resulting emergency landing led to substantial damage to the aircraft.