CEN19LA243

The pilot reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the cross-country flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead. Examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tank, which was intact. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine. Based on the available information, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.

On July 25, 2019, about 1555 central daylight time, a Culver LCA airplane, N29272, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Viroqua, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules cross-country flight. He reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead. The engine spark plugs were removed and displayed normal operating signatures. The engine was rotated by hand and drive continuity was confirmed. No mechanical anomalies were found. The fuel system and fuel tank were intact. The fuel cap was in place and the float level indicator seemed to be serviceable. There was no visible fuel in the fuel tank and some debris was found in the bottom of the tank. The fuel inlet screen on the bottom of the carburetor was removed and was clean. About 1/2 ounce of fuel was found in the bottom of the carburetor bowl, which emptied the bowl.