Incident Overview
A pilot executed a forced landing in an open field after experiencing a loss of engine power. The aircraft collided with desert shrubs and came to rest inverted. The pilot had refueled to maximum tank capacity before departure and calculated an en route time of 4 hours 15 minutes to the planned refueling stop. Approximately 4 hours 10 minutes into the flight, while near the destination airport, the engine ceased operation.
Pilot Actions
Contacting the local tower, the pilot reported being out of fuel and intending to land on a highway. To avoid oncoming traffic, the pilot maneuvered and ultimately landed in a brush-covered field.
Post-Landing Examination
Responding personnel observed no fuel odor or visible fuel on the aircraft or ground. Mechanical continuity within the engine was established during an examination. With the fuel pump activated, a fuel leak was identified at the fuel line fitting where it enters the carburetor. The leak rate, with only the boost pump on, was measured at one drop per minute. Heavy fuel staining was noted on the carburetor bowl below the bowl seal gasket, around the line fitting, and on induction hoses directly below. The stain residue was thick and consistent with a long-term leak.
Maintenance History
Review of maintenance logbooks revealed that the engine had been reinstalled after an overhaul approximately eight days prior to the flight. A subsequent ground run using a remote fuel source attached to the left wing's fuel fitting showed no discrepancies at full power.
Aircraft Fuel Specifications
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft holds 48 gallons of fuel, of which 4 gallons are unusable. The Airplane Flight Manual's range/cruise performance charts indicate a best power fuel consumption of 9.0 gallons per hour at 65 percent power and 10.5 gallons per hour at 75 percent power. Endurance at 65 percent power is listed as 5.5 hours.