Incident Overview
A 954-hour private pilot was conducting a 24-mile ferry flight in a single-engine airplane when the engine lost power approximately 3.5 miles from the destination airport. According to a written statement from the pilot, he switched to the left fuel tank and turned on the electric fuel pump, after which the engine began to run again. The pilot then elected to climb to 1,500 feet and headed directly to the runway.
Second Power Loss and Emergency Response
Approximately 2 miles from the runway, the engine lost power a second time. The pilot made a mayday call and prepared for a forced landing in an open field short of the airport. During the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained structural damage.
Fuel Status and Inspection
Prior to departure, the pilot reported that the fuel gauges indicated 13 gallons of fuel in each tank; however, he did not visually check the fuel amount. After the incident, an FAA inspector examined the airplane and found no fuel in the airplane's fuel lines or tanks.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.