Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel for the flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot and passenger were repositioning the airplane from Arizona to Washington with a planned en route fuel stop. The airplane ran out of fuel about 6 miles short of the fuel stop. The airplane nosed over during a landing in an open field. Neither the pilot nor the operator filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 22, 1997, about 1531 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6495A, operated by Human Flight Inc. of Snohomish, Washington, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Lamont, California. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Buckeye, Arizona, and was destined for Snohomish with an en-route fueling stop at Bakersfield, California. About 6 miles southeast of Bakersfield the aircraft lost engine power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field and nosed over. According to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane ran out of fuel about 6 miles short of the planned fueling stop. Neither the pilot nor the operator filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2. Incomplete logbook records were obtained from the operator. -