Incident
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings during a training flight. On the eighth takeoff, the engine began to run rough. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and elected to land in a field near the departure end of the runway.
During the landing roll, the airplane contacted an unseen ditch.
Investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the aircraft's fuel tanks contained a total of 0.5 gallons of fuel. According to the aircraft's pilot operating handbook, the total fuel capacity is 26 gallons, of which 1.5 gallons is considered unusable.
Additional Facts
The operator stated that the pilots did not refuel the airplane prior to the accident flight.