Accident Overview
A single-engine airplane piloted by a private pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted rough terrain during a forced landing. The accident occurred following an in-flight loss of engine power while the airplane was in descent for the Marshall Memorial Municipal Airport, near Marshall, Missouri. Night visual meteorological conditions were present at the time.
Pilot's Report
According to the pilot's accident report, the intended destination was Harrington, Missouri, with a planned fuel stop at Marshall, Missouri. The pilot stated that the airplane had full fuel upon departure from Sheridan. The forced landing occurred approximately 4.6 nautical miles short of the intended fuel stop at Marshall.
Safety Recommendation
The pilot included a safety recommendation in the report, suggesting that the fuel stop should have been scheduled earlier. Additionally, the pilot noted that the fuel mixture should have been leaned and the proper power setting used to achieve 75% power. The pilot stated that the flight plan assumed a fuel consumption rate of 10 gallons per hour, whereas the actual fuel consumption rate was higher.
Damage
Impact with rough terrain resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.