Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-commands failure to monitor fuel consumption.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot-in-command flew the airplane for 4 hours and 15 minutes and was looking for his destination when the engine lost power. He executed a force landing to a road and struck a sign on landing roll. The airplane was inspected after the accident and the fuel tanks had less tahn 2 pints of fuel.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 5, 1993, about 1645 central standard time, N2382T ,a Piper PA-28-180 sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Tupelo, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 Personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated about 4 hours earlier the same day from Cincinnati, Ohio. The pilot reported that he overflew his destination of Tupelo, Mississippi, and the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. During the forced landing to a road the right wing struck signs and damaged the rear spar. The total flight time since last refueling was 4 hours and 15 minutes. -