Accident Overview
A pilot reported an accident involving a loss of engine power during a flight. The incident occurred after the pilot decided to return to the departure airport due to deteriorating visibility. Approximately 17 miles from the destination, the engine lost all power, forcing the pilot to conduct a landing on a field. During the landing, the airplane impacted trees and came to rest inverted.
Pilot Actions
Before departure, the pilot obtained a full weather briefing and performed a complete preflight inspection. He was informed that the airplane had been flown for approximately half an hour the previous night. The pilot observed that the fuel tanks appeared virtually full, and the fuel gauges indicated FULL. Consequently, he decided not to have the tanks topped off before departure. Approximately two hours into the flight, visibility deteriorated, prompting the pilot to turn around and head back to the departure airport.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed that no fuel was present in the fuel tanks, fuel lines, or carburetor. Additionally, no fuel stains were observed on the aircraft. The examination did not identify any other anomalies that could have contributed to the power loss.