On September 22, 1996, at 2030 central daylight time (cdt), a Beech BE-35, N1368Z, owned and operated by an instrument rated private pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, while on a two mile final approach to runway 26, at Minot International Airport, Minot, North Dakota, following a loss of engine power. The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a VFR flight plan. The flight departed Holman Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota at 1730 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement, while on a three mile base leg turning onto final approach to runway 26, the pilot noticed that the engine sputtered and lost total power. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank and was unsuccessful on an engine restart. He set up a 65 mph glide slope and landed 2 1/4 mile short of runway 26. The North Dakota Highway Patrol received a written statement form the pilot at the time of the accident. According to the Highway Patrol Officer, who took a statement from the pilot, "...it took 33 gallons to fly to Minneapolis and he had bucked a 15 mph wind on the return flight and forgot to switch the tank to the right one before he ran out. He stated he always does it, but forgot this time. He stated it was pilot error." A Federal Aviation Administration Maintenance Inspector blocked the nose of the airplane up and cranked the engine through a couple of times and the engine started. The engine ran normal with no discrepancies noticed.