Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that about 5 hours into a night cross country flight the engine started running rough. He switched between the left and right fuel tanks several times, adjusted the mixture, but was unsuccessful in correcting the issue. The pilot further reported that he knew that he would not make it to the nearest airport, so he turned on his landing light and looked for a place to land. The pilot landed the airplane in a pond, and came to rest on the shore.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
A postaccident examination revealed that the right and left fuel tanks were empty.
According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA177