Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and the subsequent off-airport landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot stated that prior to departure of the cross-country flight he performed a preflight inspection, which included using a dipstick to check the fuel quantity, though he later reported miscalculating the amount that was on-board. The flight departed with what he thought was 15 gallons of fuel for the intended 30-minute-long flight but when about 5 miles from the intended destination, the fuel pressure gauge decreased to 0 psi and the engine lost power rapidly. He realized he would be unable to land at his intended destination due to the airplane’s altitude and distance from it, so he performed an off-airport forced landing. The airplane touched down in a shallow ditch adjacent to a road and nosed over during the landing roll. He further stated that both fuel quantity gauges indicated near 0 at the moment of the loss of engine power. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage adjacent to the left main landing gear attach point. During recovery of the airplane no fuel was noted in the wing fuel tanks and postaccident examination revealed no fuel in the fuel service tank. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot exhausted the airplane’s fuel supply, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.