Accident Narrative
During a flight, the pilot encountered an engine failure while cruising at 3,000 feet. The engine ceased operating, airspeed decreased, and the propeller continued windmilling. The pilot had been operating the airplane with fuel drawn from the right tank. He activated the boost pump and primed the engine, which then restarted.
Preflight and In-Flight Events
Before departure, the pilot had trouble starting the engine. Despite the engine being warm, he needed to prime it approximately five times to get it started. After the first engine failure, the pilot noted that the left fuel tank contained about 4 to 5 gallons, while the right tank held more fuel. He was approximately halfway between departure and destination and decided to continue the flight.
About 20 minutes later, while descending to 1,700 feet, the engine ceased operating again. The pilot attempted to restart it but was unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a cotton field, during which the right wing and right main landing gear sustained damage.
Postaccident Examination
An FAA inspector and a licensed mechanic performed postaccident examinations of the airplane. They found 16 gallons of fuel in the right tank and 5 gallons in the left tank. Additionally, debris was discovered in the fuel boost pump screen and in the carburetor.
Previous Maintenance Issues
According to the pilot, during the last annual inspection conducted in March 2002, the fuel filter was found to be partially blocked. In July 2002, the fuel filter drain hose was also found to be blocked and required cleaning.