What happened
At the conclusion of a 3.5-hour cross-country flight, the pilot was descending toward the destination airport. The pilot reported that he had selected the right main fuel tank and continued flying until the fuel level reached a point of exhaustion.
While performing a right turn with the landing gear extended, the engine lost power. Despite all subsequent attempts to restore power, the engine remained inoperative. In an effort to reach the airport, the pilot attempted to glide toward the runway and retracted the landing gear. However, the aircraft was forced to land in a field located short of the runway. The aircraft impacted the ground in a wheels-up position and skidded 60 yards before coming to a complete stop. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
The pilot suggested that the electric fuel boost pump may have failed to provide an adequate flow of fuel, contributing to the event. However, a post-accident inspection conducted by an FAA inspector found no evidence of any pre-accident failure or malfunction. Upon examination of the aircraft, no fuel was found in the right main fuel tank.