Accident Overview
A pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane before departing on a local VFR flight. During the flight, while the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine experienced a total loss of power.
Loss of Power and Landing
Unable to land on the airport, the pilot chose to land in an open, rough, and uneven dirt area approximately half a mile north of the airport.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident wreckage examination revealed that the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. The right fuel tank contained a minimal amount of fuel, and the fuselage tank was empty. The left fuel tank was designed to feed from the right fuel tank.