On May 22, 1997, about 1531 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6495A, operated by Human Flight Inc. of Snohomish, Washington, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Lamont, California. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Buckeye, Arizona, and was destined for Snohomish with an en-route fueling stop at Bakersfield, California. About 6 miles southeast of Bakersfield the aircraft lost engine power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field and nosed over. According to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane ran out of fuel about 6 miles short of the planned fueling stop. Neither the pilot nor the operator filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2. Incomplete logbook records were obtained from the operator.