Incident Overview
A pilot was ferrying an airplane to a destination airport for maintenance of its fuel system. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the pilot intentionally emptied the right main fuel tank, as the maintenance required the tank to be empty upon arrival. Shortly thereafter, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in an open field. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right rear wing spar.
Post-Accident Examination
An aviation safety inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane at the accident site. The inspection revealed that all fuel tanks were void of fuel. The right tip tank contained some fuel, but it was not usable due to its condition or quantity. No further details about the fuel system or the airplane's specific model or registration were provided in the source.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that the intentional emptying of the right main fuel tank was a planned action to facilitate the upcoming maintenance at the destination. However, the subsequent loss of engine power occurred after this action, leading to the off-airport landing. The pilot successfully executed a forced landing in an open field, avoiding any further hazards.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage specifically to the right rear wing spar. No other damage items or injuries were mentioned in the source.