NYC06CA017

Factual narrative

The pilot departed his home airport to take aerial photographs of the end of the season tree color changes. After 4.2 hours of flight time, which included an intermediate stop at another airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, no preimpact fuel leaks were discovered, and no evidence of fuel spillage was identified at the scene. Approximately 2 quarts of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. There was no record of the airplane being refueled at the intermediate airport. The pilot departed his home airport to take aerial photographs of the end of the season tree color changes. After 4.2 hours of flight time, which included an intermediate stop at another airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, no preimpact fuel leaks were discovered, and no evidence of fuel spillage was identified at the scene. Approximately 2 quarts of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. There was no record of the airplane being refueled at the intermediate airport. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12