N82895

On December 21, 1994, about 1720 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N82895, registered to Bay Air Flying Service, Inc., collided with a road sign during the landing roll following a forced landing near the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the flight to the Albert Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida, about 1530.

The flight was a return flight to the Albert Whitted Airport from the Key West Airport. Fuel servicing was not obtained at the Key West Airport. The pilot stated that he did not activate his IFR flight plan and during the flight, he elected to divert to the Sarasota Airport. While on a right base to land, the engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. He landed the airplane on a road and during the landing roll, the left wing collided with a road sign. The fuel tanks which were not damaged were drained. The left and right fuel tanks were found to contain .02 and .06 of a gallon of fuel respectively.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by personnel who recovered the airplane revealed that both fuel caps were installed and there was no evidence of fuel siphoning.