Accident Details
While on final approach during a practice instrument approach, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot receiving instruction attempted an engine restart and switched fuel tanks, but these actions did not restore power. The flight instructor then assumed control of the airplane and executed a forced landing in a corn field. The landing resulted in substantial damage to both wings.
Fuel Findings
After the accident, the airplane was recovered from the field. Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that the right fuel tank contained about one cup of fuel, while the left wing fuel tank was approximately three-quarters full. This significant fuel imbalance was noted during the post-accident investigation.
Engine Testing
The engine was functionally tested on the airframe for approximately 10 minutes. During this test, no anomalies or malfunctions were observed. The engine operated normally under the test conditions.
Pre-Flight Actions
The pilot reported that during pre-flight, he did not visually check the fuel quantity in the wing fuel tanks. Instead, he relied solely on the cockpit fuel gauges to determine the fuel load before the flight.