Incident Overview
A pilot reported losing engine power while on short final approach to a destination airport, leading to a forced landing in a grass field. The airplane nosed over during the hard landing.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, he was cleared for a left downwind landing when approximately 15 miles north of the destination airport. During the approach, he switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, noting that the right tank indicated 20 gallons. When he selected flaps, they failed to operate. On short final, he attempted to increase power but found the engine was not producing power. He switched back to the right fuel tank, but the engine did not respond. The pilot then elected to land in a field, resulting in a hard landing on grass, after which the airplane nosed over.
Postaccident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the airplane after the accident. The left fuel tank contained ample fuel, while the right fuel tank was empty. The inspector also noted that the accident airplane was out of annual inspection and that the pilot's biennial flight review was past due.
Findings
The discrepancy between the fuel gauge indication (20 gallons) and the actual empty state of the right fuel tank contributed to the loss of engine power. Additionally, the inoperative flaps and the expired inspection status were noted as contributing factors.