LAX93LA221

fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the aircraft and his failure to refuel the aircraft prior to departure.

In a verbal statement to FAA inspectors, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight the engine began to run rough then it quit altogether. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a farm field and collided with a ditch at the field boundary during the landing roll. An FAA Airworthiness Inspector examined the aircraft. He reported that fuel system continuity was established throughout the aircraft. During the examination, the FAA inspector found only one pint of fuel in the entire fuel system.

On May 23, 1993, at about 1500 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N3051J, collided with a ditch while performing a forced landing in a farm field near Hollister, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The aircraft was operated by Richard C. Kirkham of Hollister. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage; however, the certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Hollister municipal airport on the day of the mishap at about 1300 hours and proceeded to Watsonville, California, for touch and go landings and was returning to Hollister when the accident occurred. In a verbal statement to FAA personnel, the pilot reported that he was in cruise when the engine began to run rough, then quit. He landed in a farm field and collided with a ditch at the field boundary. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the scene and examined the aircraft. He reported finding only about one quart of fuel in the aircraft fuel system. No system leaks were identified. The pilot did not submit a written aircraft accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) nor provide any additional verbal information on the accident circumstances. -