Primary finding
Probable cause
Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in inadequate fuel and fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported the airplane's engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. He made an off airport landing on a railroad right-of-way. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that the engine lost power due to fuel mismanagement and failure to lean the mixture.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 10, 1993, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 airplane, N38602, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise and landed off-airport near Davison, Michigan. The private pilot and three passengers aboard received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions existed in the area. The personal flight originated in Appleton, Wisconsin, about 1005 EDT on a VFR flight plan and operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that during cruise the engine sputtered. He then switched the selected fuel tank from the left to the right and activated the electric fuel pump. The pilot then initiated an approach to runway 26 at Davison Airport. Once he realized that he would not be able to make it to the airport, the pilot elected to make a forced landing onto a cleared area between two sets of railroad tracks. In a statement made to the FAA inspector, the pilot claimed he ran out of fuel due to poor fuel management. He also stated that he did not lean the mixture during the flight. -