Incident Overview
While en route at 11,500 feet MSL, a pilot encountered severe headwinds and decided to divert to Charlottesville for refueling. Approximately two to three minutes after initiating a descent toward Charlottesville, the engine lost power. The pilot switched from the left to the right fuel tank, which restored power. However, later at an altitude of 4,500 feet MSL, a second power loss occurred. Unable to glide to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing in a cow pasture about one mile short of the airport.
Post-Incident Examination
An FAA examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty.
Pilot's Remarks
The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by proper fuel calculation along with a fuel computer installed, because of the frequency-distances-complexity of the average mission.