N1613P

On July 23, 1995, at 1325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 22-150, N1613P, was substantially damaged when the engine lost total power and a forced landing was performed in Avoca, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Plattsburg, New York, at 0925, destined for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was an instrument flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

...Altitude was 7000 feet....During this interval, I was asked by approach for my exact fuel situation....Approach was so advised, with emphasis that there really was no further reserve fuel. I was offered an alternate airport as an option (Seamans, 9N3)....I did not accept the alternate. It was a closer airport and would have taken a shorter time, however, I was much more familiar with the terrain around the approach to Wilkes-Barre and was already planning my direction of flight should an emergency develop....I elected inbound to [Wilkes-Barre] and asked for a gradual decent from 7000 feet. The controller...said that he would keep me up high for as long as possible....I got to 2500 feet and 2 miles from touchdown....During final clearance to minimum decent altitude the engine lost all power....

Additionally, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions, and "[the] forced landing resulted from weather related fuel exhaustion at [the] end of [the] cross country trip. Closer attention to head winds and alternate airports could have prevented the accident."

The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated:

...The pilot reported he ran out of fuel short of the runway. He made an emergency landing in a stone quarry doing damage to the [left] wing, [left] gear leg, nose gear, and propeller. The fuel tanks were inspected for fuel...by a mechanic...at the accident scene. The mechanic reported about one quart of fuel was found....