Accident Details
According to the pilot's report, he finger inspected both fuel tanks before departure. While taxiing for takeoff, the pilot-rated observer noted that the left fuel gauge indicated approximately half full, while the right gauge showed near full.
Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes into the flight, the pilot and observer grew concerned about the fuel state and decided to divert to a nearby airport for refueling. About 15 minutes later, the right fuel tank ran dry, causing the engine to quit. The pilot switched to the left tank and successfully restarted the engine.
Roughly 5 minutes after restart, the left fuel tank also ran dry, and the engine quit again. The pilot then conducted a forced landing in a hay field located about 5 miles west of the intended destination. During the landing, the airplane landed long. To avoid a fence, the pilot turned 90 degrees to the left, and the aircraft subsequently impacted a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.
The airplane had accumulated 4.3 hours of flight time since its most recent refueling, at which both tanks were filled to capacity. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical issues. A post-accident inspection of the fuel tanks found no fuel in either the right or left tanks.