The pilot departed for a local flight in Logan, Utah, with the fuel gauges showing about a quarter full in each fuel tank. The pilot did not perform a visual inspection of the fuel tanks during his pre-flight procedures.
About 30 minutes into the flight, he headed back to the airport. Prior to reaching the airport, the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.
The pilot selected a field for a forced landing. During the landing, the Kitfox Classic IV sustained substantial damage to the fuselage frame.
An examination of the airplane at the accident site by an FAA air safety inspector revealed there was no fuel in the tanks.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection/planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and a loss of engine power en route.
NTSB Identification: GAA15CA029
This March 2015 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
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There was an article in one of the flight magazines that said.”Are you too old
to fly” Should have said are you smart enough to fly.
I don’t think there is ever an acceptable excuse for running out of fuel except a mechanical defect.
Stupid is as stupid does! Turn in that pilot certificate. I agree with above he is too lazy and dumb to be flying over my head!
Fuel is the Cheapest thing you put in a Aircraft
I’m not in favor of more regulations, but I’ve read enough of these fuel exhaustion reports to believe we need a regulation that says if you run out of fuel in an airplane, you must surrender your pilot certificate to the FAA because you are too stupid to fly.
1/4 tanks is sufficient to start the engine and taxi, but consider it empty if you plan on being in the air.
A quarter tank of fuel is OK for driving around in a car but NEVER driving around in an airplane, not even for staying in VFR closed traffic after takeoff. It’s just plain stupid and an invitation for this kind of result.
Yes it can be a pain to verify the fuel quantity in a high wing aircraft but to trust in the fuel gauge is a bad gamble, this column has shown that to be true over and over again. I am not sure how difficult it is to get to the fuel caps on that design but even if it means getting out a small step ladder it is an essential part of preflight to visually check the quantity and also ensure the fuel caps are secure.
A scuba diver would never start a dive without verifying that they have an adequate supply of air in their tanks. Think of the fuel in your tanks the same way. Never leave the ground without a verified adequate supply.
Maybe that’s the problem? He is a scuba guy… he must have thought he had plenty of air in his tanks! lol