Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's not refueling the airplane to avoid fuel exhaustion, and his inadequate preflight planning. A factor was fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On December 9, 1998, at 1617 central standard time, a Cessna 310, N3027D, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following loss of power on both engines, about three miles north west of Ashland, Nebraska. The pilot told authorities that the usable fuel was exhausted. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated at Albuquerque, New Mexico, exact time unknown.
After the forced landing the pilot told responding authorities that the forced landing was precipitated by fuel exhaustion. In his written statement he says, "Engine failure unknown."
An inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed only unusable fuel in the tanks. There was no evidence of leaking from the fuel tanks or fuel tank caps.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI99LA050