What happened
During a personal cross-country flight, the pilot encountered thunderstorms and spent time maneuvering to circumnavigate the weather cells. During this period, the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power resulting from fuel exhaustion.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot performed a forced landing in a field characterized by rough and uneven terrain. Although a road adjacent to the field was identified as a suitable runway for an emergency landing, the pilot utilized the field instead. As a result of the landing on the uneven surface, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot was not injured.
Findings
Investigation into the circumstances of the accident revealed several contributing factors regarding the pilot's qualifications and experience. The pilot did not possess a multiengine rating and lacked experience operating this specific aircraft. Additionally, it was determined that the pilot's last biennial flight review had been conducted in a single-engine aircraft 17 years prior to the accident.