What happened
During a cross-country flight, the airplane operated for three hours and 50 minutes before experiencing a complete loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing procedure, directing the aircraft toward a plowed field. Upon impact with the ground, the airplane nosed over, resulting in significant damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Local authorities interviewed the pilot following the incident. The pilot confirmed that the aircraft had run out of fuel during the flight. A physical examination of the airplane verified this account, revealing that both fuel tanks were completely empty. Review of the Pilot/Operator Report indicated that the pilot believed the accident could have been avoided by stopping for refueling earlier in the journey.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The total loss of engine power was directly caused by the depletion of fuel reserves during the extended cross-country segment. The subsequent nosedown impact was a direct result of the forced landing attempt necessitated by the lack of power.