Incident Details
According to the pilot, the engine lost power while the aircraft was in flight during a cross-country trip. She attempted to resolve the issue by switching to a different fuel tank. This action temporarily restored engine operation, but after a few minutes the engine stopped again. The pilot then carried out a forced landing in a rough field.
Post-Accident Examination
Investigators who examined the airplane after the landing found that the fuel system contained only one quart of fuel. All fuel tanks were examined and found to be undamaged, with no indications of fuel leakage, siphoning, or staining. Once additional fuel was added, the engine was started and ran normally without any problems.
Pilot Statement
The pilot said she thought the aircraft had been fueled before the flight. However, investigators could not verify that any fueling had occurred.