Incident Overview
The pilot departed with approximately 15 gallons of fuel aboard the Piper PA-18. After flying for about one hour and 15 minutes, the engine lost power while the aircraft was located roughly one mile from the airport. The pilot initiated a forced landing in a nearby field.
Fuel Indications and Leak Evidence
During the approach, the pilot observed that the left fuel gauge indicated one-eighth full, while the right gauge showed slightly less than one-quarter full. An on-scene examination revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. However, investigators noted that only "little" fuel remained in the tanks during recovery. The fuel vent system consisted of drilled holes in the tank caps. Surrounding vegetation near the fuel tanks appeared discolored and emitted an odor consistent with aviation fuel, suggesting a leak.
Post-Accident Testing
The engine was test-run on the airframe using its own fuel system. It started successfully and operated through various power settings for several minutes without any abnormalities. According to the Piper PA-18 Owner's Handbook, the aircraft's fuel consumption rate is 9 gallons per hour.