CHI98LA307

The pilot reported he assumed the fuel tanks were topped off prior to takeoff. The lineman who fueled the airplane reported that the fuel tanks were filled three gallons short of their capacity. The pilot reported that he aborted the first takeoff for an inaccurate airspeed indicator. The pilot departed after the mechanical condition was fixed. The pilot reported that during the VFR approach to the destination airport, the engine 'coughed.' The pilot set the mixture to full rich and the throttle to full power, but the engine stopped. The engine restart was unsuccessful. He chose not to land on paved highways due to the automobile traffic, and landed in a freshly plowed field. The airplane nosed over during ground roll. The pilot reported that the flight was approximately 3.3 hours in duration. An examination of the airplane found the fuel tanks to be dry. The Hobbs meter indicated the airplane had operated a total of 3.9 hours during its flight.

On August 9, 1998, at 1145 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 150L, N5413Q, operated by a private pilot, lost engine power while on approach to Philip Airport, Philip, South Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing in a field. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was on file. The solo flight departed Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, Montana, at 0830 MDT with an intended destination of Philip Airport.

The pilot reported that he had the lineman at Billings Logan International Airport top the fuel tanks off prior to takeoff. The pilot reported that he aborted the first takeoff at Billings for an inaccurate airspeed indicator. After the mechanical condition was fixed, the pilot departed Billings en route for Philip, South Dakota. The pilot reported that during the VFR approach to Philips the engine "coughed." The pilot set the mixture to full rich and the throttle to full power, but the engine stopped. The engine restart was unsuccessful. He chose not to land on paved highways due to the automobile traffic, and landed in a freshly plowed field. The airplane nosed over during ground roll. The pilot exited the airplane without injury. The pilot reported that the flight from Billings to Philip took approximately 3.3 hours duration.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and found the fuel tanks to be dry. The lineman who fueled the airplane reported that the fuel tanks were filled three gallons short of their capacity. The Hobbs meter indicated the airplane had operated a total of 3.9 hours during its flight.