Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft experienced an engine failure approximately one hour into a planned 1.5-hour personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, at the time of the failure, the left fuel tank indicator showed 3/4 full and the right tank showed 1/8 full. The aircraft had been refueled with 20 gallons of fuel immediately prior to departure.
Forced Landing and Outcome
Following the engine failure, the pilot performed a forced landing in a grape vineyard. During the landing, the aircraft flipped over. No further details on injuries or damage are available from the source.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident investigation revealed heavy fuel stains on both fuel caps extending aft across the top surfaces of the wings and horizontal stabilizers. The fuel tanks appeared to be empty upon inspection.
Fuel System Observations
The discrepancy between the fuel gauge indications and the apparent empty tanks, combined with the external fuel stains, suggests a potential fuel loss during flight. However, the exact cause of the engine failure has not been determined in the provided information.