Accident Overview
The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing at night in a field. The loss of engine power occurred after approximately 2.8 hours of flight. The pilot was operating under an IFR flight plan but elected to divert to an airport reporting VFR conditions as weather at the destination was deteriorating.
Sequence of Events
While on a radar vector for the ILS approach at 3,000 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot declared an emergency and requested a vector to the nearest airport. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, leading to a forced landing in a muddy field. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over.
Fuel Status and Inspection
A lineman at the departure airport reported fueling the airplane with 10 gallons of fuel, placing 5 gallons in each wing tank. The lineman noted that both tanks were low on fuel and that "the fuel was splashing against the bottom of the tank." Post-accident inspection revealed that the fuel tanks were intact and sealed shut. Only 23 ounces of fuel were drained from the tanks. No mechanical anomalies were identified.
Pilot's Statement
During a phone interview, the pilot stated that he was not sure if he looked inside the fuel tanks after refueling at the departure airport.