Cessna 180 Skywagon
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2500; Flight Crew Type 600
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Human Factors
Fuel gauges read nearly empty; but were unreliable due to aircraft age. Time indicated that I should have had one more hour of fuel. Aircraft experienced fuel exhaustion and I had to make an engine out emergency landing to a farmer's field. After first field was identified; engine received a burst of fuel and I proceeded to the closest airport; ZZZ1; 10 miles away; but couldn't make it. Engine quit again and a better field was identified. I made a safe tailwheel landing to a plowed field and the aircraft suffered no damage and there were no injuries. Aircraft had to be towed out of the field; inspected; and refueled. I flew the aircraft from a county road to ZZZ the next morning. An aircraft maintenance inspection is in progress. Fuel bladder; feed; or carburetor issues are suspected.
C180 Pilot reported fuel exhaustion led to having to land on a field.