Accident Overview
The pilot of a single-engine airplane reported a loss of engine power to air traffic control during flight. The pilot commented that he thought he had run out of fuel. Subsequently, the pilot executed a forced landing on a bean field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. No injuries were reported.
Fuel System Examination
After the accident, investigators examined the airplane's fuel system. The right fuel tanks were found to be empty of usable fuel. In contrast, the left fuel tanks held approximately 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported that prior to the loss of engine power, he had been using the right fuel tanks for fuel supply.
Engine Test
The airplane's engine was tested after the accident using a substitute fuel system. With the fuel selector set to the left fuel tank position, the engine started and ran without any observed mechanical anomalies. This test indicated that the engine itself was functional and that the power loss was likely related to fuel starvation from the right tanks.