N30461

On March 12, 2003, at 1600 central standard time, a Cessna 177A single-engine airplane, N30461, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion near England, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Hope Municipal Airport (M18), Hope, Arkansas, at 1200 and was destined for a private grass airstrip near Sherrill, Arkansas.

According to the pilot, who had owned the airplane for one week, when he departed M18 both wing fuel tanks were each 3/4 full of fuel. When the flight neared Sherrill he was unable to locate the airstrip, circled the area for one hour, ran low on fuel, and executed a precautionary landing to a farm field. The pilot obtained 5 gallons of fuel, was provided directions to the destination airstrip, and departed. The pilot stated that he again was unable to locate the airstrip, and approximately 35 minutes later the engine lost complete power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a road, during which the airplane contacted trees and a ditch.

According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing attaching points were damaged.