Champion Citabria Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13; Flight Crew Total 330; Flight Crew Type 131
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Human Factors
Approximately 13 miles from destination; [I] experienced rapid engine RPM drop from 2400 to 1500. Called Tower to let them know of engine roughness. Applied carb heat; which lowered engine RPM even greater and it was difficult to maintain altitude. Flew on for a while and removed carb heat to gain additional RPM as I was searching for a field to land in. I was concerned that I would not be able to regain engine power and continued to slowly lose altitude and be out of good options for landing. I found and committed to a grass field and landed uphill without incident. Called Tower from phone to let them know of the safe landing. Checked fuel approximately 30 minutes after landing and noted fuel caps were hard to remove and required me to grab coat to help get a good enough grip to open. Right wing showed empty on dip stick and left wing showed 13 gallons.
Citabria pilot reported engine roughness occurred during cruise flight and landed safely off-airport. Post-flight; the pilot found that one fuel tank was empty and the other contained minimal fuel.