Background
The pilot reported having flown the same route five times previously. On the accident flight, three factors differed: the fuel tanks were not topped off as requested, the flight returned to the departure airport after departure to close a right-wing fueling door that had been left open, and the flight encountered stronger headwinds than anticipated.
Flight Details
After addressing the fueling door issue, the flight resumed toward the destination. Nine minutes before arrival, the engine ceased operating. The pilot executed an emergency landing in a vacant field. The pilot was not injured; one passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft received substantial damage.
Postcrash Examination
Postcrash inspection revealed no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft or its components. The fuel tanks were found to contain no fuel. The pilot subsequently told the Federal Aviation Administration, "I ran out of gas."