Incident Overview
A pilot reported that before departure, he drained approximately three inches of fuel from the fuel tanks to ensure the airplane did not exceed its maximum gross weight of 2,550 pounds, as he was carrying three passengers and their luggage.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
About 2 hours and 50 minutes after takeoff, while still 15 miles from the intended destination, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a rough field. Subsequent examination of the airplane confirmed that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he had received incorrect information regarding the fuel tanks, which led him to believe the aircraft held more fuel than it actually did. He reported that he thought the usable fuel capacity was 50 gallons, when in fact it was 38 gallons. According to the pilot, the fuel on board was only sufficient for approximately 2.9 hours of flight.