The pilot reported that while flying at a high-density altitude, "it never occurred to me to monitor fuel consumption for the 80-mile flight." The engine sputtered and the pilot made an emergency landing.

He landed in a field, and secured fuel for the airplane and subsequently attempted to takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a "rut" in the surface, and he aborted the takeoff. The pilot attempted another takeoff in an area that provided more useable space to perform the takeoff roll, but the airplane climbed about 2ft and the landing gear entered the tall grass and the airplane abruptly nosed over.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and the empennage.

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