Flight History
A pilot and his wife, who was a passenger, departed Greeley, Colorado, on a cross-country flight to Clayton, New Mexico. After landing in Clayton, the pilot had his aircraft refueled. It took 23.5 gallons of fuel to fill the tanks. The pilot then took off, flew 46 miles southeast, and turned around to return to Colorado. He arrived in the Denver area and landed at a small airport east of Denver. He then departed the airport without refueling and flew to another airport north of Denver. Again, after a short time on the ground, he departed without refueling.
Forced Landing
About 7 minutes after departing the northern airport, the engine quit. The pilot made a forced landing on a snow-covered field. During the landing, the aircraft nosed over.
Fuel Findings
Wreckage recovery personnel reported finding only one quart of fuel in the aircraft tanks.