Overview
On a dark night, during a cross-country flight, the engine experienced a loss of power after approximately four hours of flight. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field with the landing gear retracted.
Pre-Flight and En Route Details
The aircraft was refueled before departure. The pilot estimated an en route time of 4.1 hours and stated that there were 5.3 hours of fuel onboard. During the flight, the pilot noted that the fuel gauges read lower than normal. Despite this, he chose to continue to the destination, believing his calculations indicated sufficient fuel.
Post-Accident Examination
After the forced landing, the pilot examined the gascolator and observed that the bowl contained no fuel. He concluded that the quick drain had been leaking since he checked the fuel prior to departure.