The pilot of the unregistered airplane reported that he departed with 3 gallons of fuel for a flight test by flying low up and down a private grass airstrip. He added that, about one hour and 15 minutes hours into the flight, he "neglected to carefully check the fuel remaining" before performing a takeoff into a teardrop maneuver. Once airborne, about 50 to 75 ft, he performed a climbing left turn and noticed the "engine was no longer producing power." He leveled the wings and pushed forward on the control stick. He began the landing flare for a forced landing in a soft corn field, and the airplane landed hard.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot recommended as a safety recommendation to "fill the fuel tank!"