Incident Overview
Approximately 20 minutes after departure and while cruising at about 2,000 feet above ground level, a rented airplane suffered a loss of engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing, selecting an open field as the landing site. The airplane made contact with rough terrain during the landing, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, a detailed inspection of the airplane was conducted. The examination revealed 7 gallons of fuel in the left fuel tank, while the right fuel tank was empty. A small amount of fuel was present in the gascolator, but the carburetor was found to be empty. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified during the inspection.
Findings
The investigation determined that there was no mechanical fault with the airplane's engine or systems. The fuel distribution findings suggest a possible fuel imbalance, but no definitive cause for the power loss was established. The accident resulted solely from the power loss and the subsequent forced landing on uneven terrain.