The pilot reported that about five hours into a night cross-country flight the Beech A23’s 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.
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.
He landed the airplane in a pond near Hulbert, Oklahoma, and came to rest on the shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
A post-accident 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.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and collision with terrain.
NTSB Identification: GAA16CA177
This April 2016 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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5 hours into a night flight. A landing planned 3 hours into the flight would have been a lot less expensive. As I recall the A23 holds 58 gallons and burns 12 to 15 gph.
I wonder, rented airplane or owned?
Fuel exhaustion did NOT bring down the aircraft……….. fuel exhaustion, resulted in (this case), the powerplant not having a fuel source, thus once the engine was not able to produce power, and since the propeller is connected to the power source (engine)… then the four fundamentals where now out of balance and GRAVITY was superior to Lift being provided.
Gliders……….. where is the fuel source? What brings gliders back to planet earth? GRAVITY….
Fuel exhaustion did not bring down the aircraft………
How about the PIC’s stupidity………. was that the real problem?
Over and over and over again we see the same cars in the accident, fuel exhaustion. I just don’t understand it. There’s no excuse, it’s just plain stupid. In this activity that we have all decided we want to partake of stupid kills. Kill yourself, that’s one thing. Someday your passion of yours or someone on the ground are going to die with you. I don’t think there’s any question these people should have their ticket lifted.