Accident Summary
A 2,000-hour private pilot was conducting a night VFR flight in a single-engine airplane when the engine lost power at an altitude of 8,000 feet MSL. The pilot was able to restart the engine and elected to initiate a descent to the destination airport as a precaution. During the descent, the engine lost power a second time. The pilot then performed a gear-up forced landing in an open field located approximately 2 nautical miles northeast of the intended destination. The airplane sustained structural damage during the landing. The three occupants reported that they were able to egress from the airplane unassisted.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he had flown this route multiple times and typically landed with 45 minutes of fuel in reserve. He noted that the fuel gauges on his airplane were usually accurate. The pilot added that he was unaware of the low fuel condition until after the engine lost power the second time. According to the pilot, the right fuel gauge indicated one-fourth full, and the left fuel gauge indicated an unknown low amount of fuel.
Investigation Findings
FAA investigators who responded to the accident site reported that both the left and right fuel tanks had been exhausted. Weather conditions at the destination airport, reported five minutes after the mishap, included calm winds, visibility of 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury.