MIA95LA085

The failure of the pilot in command to insure the aircraft contained adequate fuel to complete the flight.

The pilot stated that he fueled the aircraft and flew 1.5 hours. He then added 3 gallons of fuel and intended to fly to Crystal Springs, a distance of approximately 25 nautical miles, to refuel. While approaching Crystal Springs the engine began to surge and lose power. While making a forced landing in a field the aircraft nosed over. Examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors showed there was no usable fuel in the aircraft fuel system and there was no evidence of pre or postcrash fuel leakage from the aircraft. The carburetor contained only 1.5 ounces of fuel and 3 cc of water.

On March 6, 1995, about 1300 central standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N6619Q, registered to Henry Shane Austin, nosed over while making a forced landing following loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Brookhaven, Mississippi, on March 6, 1995, about 1245. The pilot stated that he fueled the airplane in Jackson, Alabama and flew 1.5 hours to Brookhaven, Mississippi. In Brookhaven he purchased 3 gallons of fuel and intended to fly to Crystal Springs, Mississippi to refuel. As he approached Crystal Springs, the engine began to run rough. He did not want to fly over the town so he flew toward an open area where he hoped the roughness would clear up. The roughness got worse and the engine began to surge and lose power. While making a forced landing in a field with partial power the aircraft nosed over on to its back. Postcrash investigation by FAA inspectors showed there was no fuel in the aircraft fuel tanks and there was no evidence of pre or postcrash fuel leakage from the aircraft. The carburetor contained only 1.5 ounces and 3 cc of water. The pilot did not submit an aircraft accident report to NTSB as required by NTSB regulations. -