Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing, due to an inadequate supply of fuel.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot and passengers departed on a 2-day cross-country flight. There was 29.4 gallons of fuel purchased en route going and 15.0 gallons returning. About 15 miles from the final destination, a force landing was made. According to sheriff's personnel, the aircraft ran out of fuel.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 24, 1997, about 1837 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733QD, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Kenwood, California. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated August 23, 1997, as a personal cross-country flight from Santa Rosa, California, to Fallbrook, California, with a fuel stop at San Luis Obispo, California. The pilot was flying the same route of flight back to Santa Rosa the next day. According to sheriff's personnel, the aircraft ran out of fuel. According to information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office at Oakland, the pilot purchased 29.4 gallons of fuel en route to the destination and 15.0 gallons returning. The pilot failed to respond to a Safety Board request to file a form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Accident Report. -