Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing, due to an inadequate supply of fuel.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 24, 1997, about 1837 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733QD, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Kenwood, California. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed.
The flight originated August 23, 1997, as a personal cross-country flight from Santa Rosa, California, to Fallbrook, California, with a fuel stop at San Luis Obispo, California. The pilot was flying the same route of flight back to Santa Rosa the next day. According to sheriff's personnel, the aircraft ran out of fuel.
According to information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office at Oakland, the pilot purchased 29.4 gallons of fuel en route to the destination and 15.0 gallons returning.
The pilot failed to respond to a Safety Board request to file a form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Accident Report.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA302