20050610012129I

(-23) The pilot and aircraft departed swan (3S2) to practice pilot skills to include t/o's & landings at bethel airport (0B1). After (3) three take-offs and landings the return flight the pilot found that the weather became hazy. This condition helped the pilot to become disoriented, tried to locate landmarks and follow the river. During this time fuel was very low, which could be seen in the clear fuel feed lines in the back of the cockpit and the pilot elected to land in a nearby potato field in Canton, Maine. After deciding which field to land because of the low fuel condition, upon that descent for landing, the engine stopped running due to the lack of fuel. The field was very soft, wet and muddy, which upon touchdown the aircraft rapidly stopped its forward motion and broke the nose gear strut and wheel assembly off. The aircraft came to rest right side up and lodged in the mud. The pilot sustained no injuries and he walked to nearby farmhouse phone to call in. It was noted that the total fuel capacity is 10 gallons, which 9 gallons is usable and the engine uses from 3 to 6 gallons per hour depending upon the power setting. The flight time for this flight was approximately 1.8HOURS. The owner/pilot had received instruction from a flight school prior to this occurrence, was signed off solo to practice basic pilot skills and x-country flying. After the occurrence he has committed to continuing education and pilot training with a flight school. The owner/pilot questioned and counseled on the importance of correct flight planning, weather briefing, mapping and position recognition.