Incident Overview
During a repositioning flight intended to refuel, the pilot of a single-engine airplane encountered a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that the engine backfired and ceased operation while the aircraft was in cruise configuration.
Pilot Actions
In response, the pilot moved the propeller control and mixture control to full forward, activated the electric fuel pump, and attempted to restart the engine. The engine briefly restarted, but power was lost again after initiating a climb. The pilot then executed a forced landing to a nearby field.
Collision and Examination
During the approach, the airplane struck a willow tree and touched down short of the intended landing area. A post-accident examination found the fuel selector positioned to the left tank, which was empty. The pilot had been en route from Eugene to Cottage Grove for refueling.