Incident Overview
A pilot diverted to an airport short of the intended destination after flying for three and a half hours, citing fuel concerns. Approximately three miles northeast of that airport, the engine quit. Despite attempts to restore power, the pilot was unable to restart the engine and conducted a forced landing in a wooded area short of the runway.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination revealed that the left fuel tank was half full, while the right fuel tank was ruptured. Only a few drops of fuel were recovered from the gascolator. The fuel selector was found in the right position.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he had forgotten to switch the fuel selector from the right position. This oversight likely led to fuel starvation from the ruptured right tank, causing the engine failure.
Conclusion
The incident resulted from the pilot's failure to select an appropriate fuel tank during the flight, leading to fuel exhaustion from the right tank.