Flight Details
A pilot departed on a cross-country flight lasting 1 hour and 50 minutes. The aircraft carried approximately 30 gallons of fuel in each wing tank, with about 27 gallons usable per side. The flight proceeded without incident until the descent phase.
Engine Failure
While descending from 8,000 feet to 3,000 feet, the engine emitted two popping sounds and then stopped. The pilot reported no engine roughness preceding the failure; the engine "just stopped." Multiple attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful.
Emergency Landing
The pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the nose gear dug into the dirt and separated from the airplane. The right wing rear spar fractured as well. However, both wing fuel tanks remained intact and undamaged.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the accident, approximately one quart of fuel was drained from the left wing tank. The right wing tank contained about 30 gallons of fuel. The pilot could not recall the position of the fuel selector at the time of power loss. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies.