Event Description
The airplane was last fueled 1.4 hours prior to the accident flight. The pilot then flew for approximately 3 hours with the left fuel tank selected. When the airplane was approximately 12 miles from the destination airport, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine unsuccessfully and subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane impacted a barn.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks were ruptured. No fuel was observed in the main fuel line from the firewall to the fuel pump, nor in the fuel line from the fuel pump to the carburetor. No mechanical anomalies were identified with the engine or the airplane.
Performance Data
According to the pilot's operating handbook for the airplane, the airplane burned approximately 8.5 gallons per hour at a 75 percent power setting. The total fuel capacity was 48 useable gallons.