Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the student pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 30, 1994, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N84514, sustained substantial damage during a hard, off-airport forced landing near Rockford, Michigan. The solo student pilot reported minor injury. The cross country instructional flight operated in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91.
The student pilot reported a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and attempted to land in a field. Postaccident inspection revealed a lack of usable fuel in the fuel tanks.
In his written report to the NTSB, under Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot wrote: "I should have monitored my fuel more closely and fueled at departure airport."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA251