Incident Overview
According to the certified flight instructor on board, approximately 3 miles from the destination airport, the engine began to sputter and then quit. The certified flight instructor offered to take control of the airplane to execute the forced landing, but the private pilot indicated he felt comfortable making the landing. The certified flight instructor allowed the private pilot to proceed.
Forced Landing and Collision
The forced landing was attempted in an open field. During the landing, the airplane collided with a berm. The pilots did not report any flight control anomalies prior to the accident.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed the propeller was bent aft, the nose wheel broke off at the strut, and the fuselage was buckled. Inspection of the fuel system found a small trace of fuel in both the left and right fuel tanks, with no blockage noted in the fuel lines.
Aircraft Fuel Specifications
Review of the Cessna pilot's operating handbook indicated that in standard configuration, total usable fuel is 40 gallons with 3 gallons unusable. In long-range configuration, usable fuel is 50 gallons with 4 gallons unusable.