Accident Overview
A commercial pilot made a forced landing to a plowed field after experiencing a loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries, and the single-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom of the fuselage and the engine firewall.
Pilot and Flight Details
The pilot, who had accumulated 1,800 total flight hours, including 35 hours in the make and model, reported a loss of engine power prior to entering the downwind leg while on a local flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had been flown under a ferry permit several months prior to another airport where an annual inspection was to be completed, and it had not been refueled since that flight. The pilot planned two local flights to show the four-place airplane to two separate passengers.
Preflight and First Flight
During the preflight inspection before the first flight, the pilot noted that all fuel tanks, including the two auxiliary fuel tanks, appeared full and free of contaminants. The first flight was uneventful; the pilot flew north of the airport for approximately 7 to 10 minutes, performed several maneuvers, and returned for a full-stop landing.
Second Flight and Engine Power Loss
On the second flight, the pilot took the second passenger and followed the same route. While returning to the airport, about 4 or 5 miles short, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left main tank and reduced power. Immediately after the power reduction, the engine "lugged down and roughened." After attempting different power and mixture settings, the pilot switched to an auxiliary fuel tank, then back to the left main tank. The engine then "died altogether," and the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right main tank.
Landing and Investigation
The airplane landed in a wet, freshly plowed field with the gear and flaps retracted. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the fuel selector in the right main tank position and noted that the right main fuel tank was empty. The inspector also noted that the pilot's management of the fuel system was contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations. Weather at the time was reported as wind from 020 degrees at 10 knots, clear skies, with a barometric pressure of 30.38 inches of mercury.
The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.