Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequately planned cross-country flight, and his subsequent disorientation, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a collision with an object.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was conducting a solo, cross-country flight. He became lost and disoriented as he returned to his departure airport. He was vectored to an airport and started a visual approach. The engine quit on short final, and he was unable to glide to the runway. The airplane impacted a fence. The FAA examined the airplane and found one gallon of fuel in the tanks. The student, who owned the airplane, did not obtain his instructor's authorization for the cross country.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Wednesday, December 21, 1994, at 1825 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150H, N7175S, registered to and piloted by John T. Hart, a student pilot, was destroyed while attempting to land in Wheeling, West Virginia. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot was performing a solo, cross-country flight. He departed Washington, Pennsylvania, on the last leg of the flight; however, he became lost and disoriented. He was vectored to the Wheeling Ohio County Airport and established a landing approach for runway 21. Just before reaching the airport boundary, the engine quit. He was unable to glide to the runway, and the airplane collided with a fence. The FAA examined the airplane and determined that "less than one gallon of fuel was found in the wing tanks..." The student pilot did not have his instructor's authorization for this flight; therefore, his flight planning was not reviewed by the instructor. The student had about 40 hours total flight time. -