What happened
The pilot had been flying for approximately 2.65 hours and was in the process of returning to the airport where the aircraft had been rented when a power loss occurred. At the time the engine stopped, the aircraft was at a recorded altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level.
In an attempt to restore power, the pilot switched fuel tanks; while the engine momentarily restarted, it subsequently quit again. During the ensuing emergency descent, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft over powerlines before landing in an open field. Upon impact, the aircraft struck a cement culvert and a dirt mound. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Upon inspection of the aircraft, the left fuel tank was found to be empty. Although the right fuel tank was initially found to be full, it leaked throughout the night until the arrival of the recovery team, resulting in the drainage of eleven gallons of fuel.
Investigators performed a test run of the engine using fuel from the right tank, and no anomalies were noted during the engine operation.