Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure an adequate supply of fuel was aboard the aircraft during preflight planning and his failure to lean the engine mixture during cruise flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot experienced total loss of engine power after approximately three hours of flight. Investigation revealed that the aircraft's fuel supply was exhausted. The pilot told investigators that he checked the aircraft fuel quantity before takeoff by inserting his finger into each tank filler neck. He also reported that he had cruised the entire flight at 2500 to 3500 feet altitude with the engine mixture control in the full rich position.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 29, 1995, at 1225 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7295A, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing and nose over in Niles, Michigan. The pilot reported total loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received no injuries and the sole passenger received serious injuries. The flight departed from Clintonville, Wisconsin, at 0825 central daylight time. The pilot reported that during preflight inspection of the aircraft he had inserted one finger into each fuel tank to verify that the tanks were full. The pilot told investigators that he flew at an altitude between 2500 and 3500 feet and that the engine mixture control was in the full rich position the entire flight. The pilot reported that approximately three hours into the flight the engine stopped abruptly and he selected an open field for landing. The off-airport landing location was approximately 6 miles beyond the intended destination. Investigators found no fuel present in the aircraft fuel tanks and only traces of fuel in fuel system components. -