Incident Overview
A private pilot reported that the engine of his aircraft quit while cruising during a cross-country flight. He subsequently executed an emergency landing in a field covered with madrona cedar brush. During the landing, the wings struck the brush, resulting in significant damage: half of the left wing was torn off, the right wing was bent backward, and the fuselage behind the cabin was bent.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he had been flying for 3 hours and 15 minutes and believed there should have been fuel remaining in the aircraft.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that no fuel was found in the aircraft's tanks, and there was no evidence of a fuel spill. However, investigators were unable to verify the takeoff time, the amount of fuel on board at departure, or the exact time of the accident.