Incident Summary
During cruise flight at 10,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot detected a strong odor of fuel and observed the fuel pressure gauge needle drop to nearly zero. The pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the electric fuel pump, but these actions did not restore fuel pressure, and the fuel odor persisted.
Forced Landing
Given the loss of fuel pressure, the pilot initiated a forced landing to the nearest airport. However, the aircraft touched down in an open field approximately 1/4 mile short of the runway and subsequently impacted a fence.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the fuel system after the accident revealed that the fuel hose running between the fuel pump and the fuel injector servo had become disengaged from the coupling at the fuel pump. Further inspection of the coupling showed that a portion of the first thread had separated due to fatigue.