Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a loss of engine power during a return flight and conducted an emergency landing in a field. The airplane's nose landing gear collapsed and was torn off during the landing roll after striking a berm.
Sequence of Events
Prior to the flight, the pilot stated that there were 38 gallons of fuel on board. The initial flight to an airport with no services lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes. During the returning flight, at 1 hour and 20 minutes into the flight, the engine lost power. The pilot performed an emergency landing in a field approximately 3/4 of a mile east of the intended airport. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a berm, causing the nose landing gear to collapse and become torn off.
Pilot Statement
The pilot later stated, "I think my reading of the fuel quantity in the site tube was in error. While I was measuring the fuel, I was interrupted, and I think I mentally recorded the wrong amount of fuel, resulting in a fuel starvation accident."