Incident Overview
A private pilot was cleared to land with the runway in sight when the aircraft's engine began to sputter. The pilot switched fuel tanks, and the engine recovered momentarily before sputtering again. The engine eventually quit, prompting the pilot to attempt a forced landing in a field.
Sequence of Events
During the forced landing, the aircraft collided with the tops of some trees before landing in the field. The landing gear collapsed upon touchdown, and the aircraft came to a stop. The total flight duration was approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes.
Post-Incident Inspection
An FAA inspector reported that both fuel tanks were found to be empty of fuel. When electrical power was applied to the aircraft, both fuel tank gauges indicated zero gallons.