Accident Overview
A pilot conducting a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight reported a loss of engine power approximately 8 nautical miles east of the intended destination. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing in a field. Prior to the flight, the pilot noted that the left and right main fuel tanks were half full, the right tip tank was half full, and the left tip tank was empty. No additional fuel was added before departure.
Pilot and Passenger Statements
According to the pilot, during the return leg, fuel tanks were switched approximately every 20 to 30 minutes. The flight encountered a headwind of 20 to 25 knots. A passenger seated in the right front seat recounted that after the engine lost power, the pilot attempted to draw fuel from the other three tanks but found none. An examination of the accident site revealed no evidence of fuel.
Circumstances
The airplane was configured with a left main, right main, left tip, and right tip fuel tank system. The pilot's pre-flight fuel check indicated the left tip tank was empty. During the flight, the pilot managed fuel by rotating tank selection at regular intervals. The loss of power occurred under night conditions, with the aircraft still some distance from the airport. The forced landing was executed in a field, and no fuel was recovered from the scene.