Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot in command's inadequate preflight planning. Factors related to the accident were the fuel exhaustion and the soft crop field.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was on a solo cross country. He made an intermediate stop without refueling and continued toward his point of origin with an estimated 10 gallons of fuel remaining on board. After approximately one hour the pilot noticed the fuel gauges indicated low. He attempted to continue to the closest airport, his fuel was exhausted, and a forced landing was made to a crop field. During touchdown the airplane flipped over, coming to rest inverted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 27, 1994, at 1500 hours eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1106F, operated by John C. Amunsen of Dowagiac, Michigan, made a forced landing in a carrot field near Whitehall, Michigan, after experiencing a total loss of engine power. The airplane came to rest inverted and was substantially damaged. No fire occurred and the student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a student solo cross country training flight and originated from Dowagiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac, Michigan at 1115 eastern daylight time. An intermediate stop was made at Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan, without refueling and the airplane was en route to Dowagiac via Muskegon, Michigan. The student pilot stated that he calculated distance in nautical miles. The pilot stated that en route to Muskegon he noticed his fuel gauges indicated low and he attempted to reach Muskegon County Airport. He stated that the fuel supply was exhausted, the engine lost power, and an emergency landing to a crop field was made. During touchdown, the nose wheel dug into the soft ground and the airplane flipped over. -