Incident Summary
The airplane contacted trees and terrain during an off-airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported making slow banking turns to the left to maneuver around controlled airspace. During the flight, the engine began running rough, and the pilot observed a drop in fuel flow from 90 pounds per hour (pph) to 70 pph, with manifold pressure at 24 inches. The pilot activated the fuel boost pump and switched the fuel selector to the right tank, which temporarily increased engine power, but fuel flow continued fluctuating between 110 and 80 pph. Subsequently, the engine stopped completely. The pilot then switched the fuel selector back to the left tank, restoring engine power, though fuel flow fluctuated from 85 to below 70 pph.
Pilot Report
The airplane could not maintain level flight, prompting the pilot to search for an off-airport landing site. He located a large, lit parking lot and descended toward it, but realized he would not reach it and selected a nearby clearing instead. The pilot confirmed the landing gear was extended and added 10 degrees of flaps. Before touchdown, he turned the fuel selector to Off and shut off the master switch. During the landing roll, the nose gear collapsed after contacting soft terrain, and the wingtip struck trees.
Post-Accident Inspection
Post-accident inspection revealed no mechanical failure or malfunction that would have caused the loss of engine power. The right fuel tank contained less than a pint of fuel, while the left fuel tank held approximately seven gallons. No fuel was present in the fuel lines between the fuel pump and the fuel flow valve. The pilot reported departing with 15 gallons of fuel on board and that the flight lasted approximately 10 minutes.