Primary finding
Probable cause
The inadequate preflight planning by the pilot which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor was the soft terrain at the forced landing site.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was about 4 hours into the cross country flight when the engine sputtered, then quit. Unable to glide to his destination airport, he force landed the airplane in an adjacent field. On the landing roll, the nose gear fractured, and the aircraft nosed down. The pilot stated that he had exhausted his fuel supply. He reportedly began the flight with 4 hours of fuel plus a 45 minute reserve, however there was only 1 to 2 quarts of fuel remaining in each wing tank.
Source record
Factual narrative
-