On August 4, 1997, at 1018 central daylight time, a Beech C24R airplane, N24PS, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Pollock, Louisiana. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal, cross country flight. A flight plan was not filed for the flight that originated in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he was on a cross country flight from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to New Orleans, Louisiana. During cruise flight, at 5,500 feet AGL, the engine lost power. A forced landing was performed to a pipeline right-of-way, and during the landing roll, the wheels of the aircraft encountered some soft ground and spun around. The pilot further reported that he "forgot to switch tanks." The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the aircraft states in Section III, Emergency Procedures, page 3-3, ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LIFT OFF AND IN FLIGHT, "Fuel Selector - SELECT OTHER TANK." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the fuel selector was positioned to the left wing tank. The left wing fuel tank was empty, and the right wing fuel tank contained approximately 20 gallons of fuel. The propeller was bent, the nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing and empennage were substantially damaged. Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.