Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he departed with 26 gallons of fuel. He added that, about 3.5 hours enroute, he asked flight following where the closest airports were because he had become concerned he was "near the fuel limit". During their exchange, the engine lost power. He declared an emergency, rocked the wings, applied full rich mixture, and restarted the engine, "which worked 15 seconds or less". During the emergency approach, he landed on a road. He landed near the end of the road, the airplane bounced, veered to the left, impacted a pipe, and the nose landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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# GAA18CA514