Accident Narrative
During the inbound phase of a cross-country flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power while approaching the intended landing area. The pilot executed a forced landing onto a grass field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence, resulting in a collision.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, an inspection of the aircraft's fuel system was conducted. The left fuel tank contained less than half a gallon of fuel, and no fuel could be drained from the right tank. The aircraft was subsequently recovered, and five gallons of fuel were added to each tank. The engine was then started and a run-up was performed successfully. No evidence of engine malfunction or an in-flight fuel leak was discovered.
Fuel and Flight Time Analysis
The pilot reported that her pre-flight calculation for the total trip time was 2 hours and 35 minutes. However, information provided with the pilot's report indicated that the Hobbs meter recorded 3 hours and 6 minutes for the flight. No fuel was added during the course of the cross-country flight.