Accident Summary
An airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power. The pilot reported that after approximately two hours of total flight time since refueling, the engine "coughed and [stopped] firing." He then executed a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
Forced Landing
The pilot stated that he visually inspected the fuel caps from the ground after refueling but did not physically verify their security. The cockpit fuel selector handle was observed on the "BOTH" setting after the accident.
Post-Accident Findings
A post-accident inspection revealed that the left fuel tank cap was not secure and was retained only by the safety chain between the cap and the fuel filler port. The right fuel tank cap was secured to the fuel tank filler port. No fuel was present in either fuel tank. The ground under the left fuel tank cap was discolored consistent with a fuel spill over a 12-inch diameter area, to a depth of about 4 inches. Additionally, a stain consistent in appearance to fuel and several "nick marks" were observed on the upper surface of the left wing aft of the fuel tank filler port.