Incident Overview
During a cruise flight at an altitude of 4,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL), the pilot reported a sudden loss of engine power. In an attempt to restart the engine, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector to an alternate tank, but the engine did not respond. Subsequently, a forced landing was executed in a muddy field, with the landing gear remaining retracted throughout the touchdown.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, an inspection of the aircraft's fuel system revealed that the left fuel tank was empty. The right fuel tank contained 25 gallons of fuel. The pilot indicated being accustomed to flying aircraft equipped with a fuel selector that includes a 'BOTH' position, which allows fuel to be drawn from both tanks simultaneously. The aircraft involved in this incident did not have that feature, requiring manual management of fuel tank selection.
No Additional Information
The investigation did not disclose further details such as the aircraft make, model, registration, operator, date, or location. No information was provided regarding occupants, injuries, or weather conditions. The report does not state any causal factors or recommendations.