Accident Overview
A student and instructor were returning to Mitchellville after performing several touch-and-go landings at Stevensville. The aircraft was at an altitude of 1,700 feet when a loss of engine power occurred. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Forced Landing
The instructor took control of the aircraft and executed a landing in a marshy bog. After touchdown, the aircraft continued into a creek and nosed over. The instructor and student exited the aircraft with assistance from fishermen who were nearby.
Investigation Findings
An investigation into the incident revealed that after the accident, less than one gallon of fuel remained aboard the aircraft. The student reported that during the preflight inspection, the fuel gauges indicated one-quarter and one-half full tanks. The aircraft had flown a total of 4.6 hours since its last refueling, including the 1.3-hour accident flight.