Incident
According to the pilot's written statement, the motor glider climbed to 4,500 feet mean sea level, after which the engine was shut down and the aircraft soared for approximately 15 minutes. When the pilot attempted to restart the engine, the battery did not have enough power to operate the starter.
Landing
Unable to restart the engine, the pilot landed the motor glider in a field located three miles east of the intended destination airport.
Damage
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the motor glider sustained substantial damage when it struck ditches during the landing.