Incident Overview
The airplane was on approach to land following a flight of approximately 4.5 hours when it suffered a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the nose gear separated from the aircraft, and the airplane overturned.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the airplane, including the ignition and fuel systems, did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the right fuel tank was compromised and an undetermined amount of fuel was observed leaking from that tank. The left fuel tank was intact and empty, with no evidence of a fuel spill in the area around it.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he conducted the flight by alternating between the right and left fuel tanks. At the time the engine lost power, the left fuel tank was selected.