CHI99LA180

During cruise flight the engine lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field where the airplane nosed over. The pilot said that he thought he had experienced carburetor ice; however, subsequent to the accident no fuel was found in the tanks and there was no fuel leak on the ground at the accident site nor were there any stains on the airframe indicating a leak. The fuel caps were in place and were of the non-siphoning type.

On June 9, 1999, at 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 182D, N9169X, owned by an individual, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field, five and one-half miles south of Zurich, Kansas. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Rapid City, South Dakota, at 1000, with the stated destination of Wichita, Kansas.

The pilot told authorities that he thought he had experienced carburetor ice, and at the time the engine lost power the fuel indicators were indicating "3/4 full" on each tank; however, when the airplane was turned over, it was found that there was no fuel in the tanks and the fuel indication on the gages was "zero." The fuel caps were of the non-siphoning type. There was no fuel present in the dirt under where the airplane had lain inverted. About two ounces of fuel was drained from the tanks and sump (gascolator). There were no fuel stains present on the airplane. The inspection took place about 1-1/2 hours after the accident.