Incident Overview
A private pilot in a single-engine airplane experienced a loss of engine power approximately two hours into a cross-country flight. The pilot had refueled before departure, adding fuel to both tanks to their full capacity of 40 gallons each. During refueling, the pilot reported difficulty securing the fuel cap on the right wing tank.
Sequence of Events
About two hours into the flight, with the fuel selector positioned on the left tank, the engine stopped producing power. The left fuel gauge indicated empty. The pilot attempted to switch to the right tank but was unable to restart the engine. A forced landing was executed in a deeply snow-covered field.
Damage and Findings
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, firewall, and fuselage. Inspection after the landing revealed that both wing fuel tanks were empty. Additionally, the fuel cap from the right wing was missing.