The private pilot departed on a cross-country flight. He reported that 35 to 40 gallons of fuel were in the Piper PA-28’s fuel tanks for a flight that he thought would require 20 gallons of fuel.
As the plane was nearing the destination, the pilot was concerned about the fuel level in the left tank because the fuel gauge indicated the tank was between one-quarter full and empty and no fuel remained in the right tank, which the pilot had intentionally run dry.
He elected to divert to ensure that the airplane would have adequate fuel to complete the flight to the destination.
Upon landing at the diversion airpark, he found out the airpark had no fuel.
He took off from the airpark, and the airplane reached an altitude of about 1,500′ above ground level when the engine “sputtered.”
The pilot attempted to return to the airpark, but the airplane could not clear the trees in the area. He attempted a forced landing near Tishomingo, Oklahoma, but the plane hit trees, then terrain. The airplane was in an inverted position at the time of impact. The pilot was seriously injured in the crash.
The pilot reported that the left tank “apparently goes empty somewhere prior to the E [empty] on the fuel gauge.”
However, he did not mention whether he visually checked the amount of fuel before leaving the diversion airpark. He likely departed without sufficient fuel on board to complete the flight to another diversion airpark.
Further, the fuel amount was lower than he expected during the flight, which was consistent with poor preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel monitoring.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel monitoring and his decision to take off with an unverified amount of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent impact with trees during an attempted forced landing.
NTSB Identification: CEN18LA075
This January 2018 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.
And our insurance rates go up….if he had insurance. Thank you very much.
The big mistake was making a precautionary landing (diversion) and then taking off again. It would be an inconvenience, but keeping the airplane on the ground until the situation is corrected saves grief even if the fuel has to be trucked in from miles away.
Not having enough fuel to complete his flight to his destination is not the reason he crashed, it was he’s decision making that caused that, just bad decision making on his alleged flight planning !!!
WOW What a Revelation: The pilot reported that the left tank “apparently goes empty somewhere prior to the E [empty] on the fuel gauge.” It came a bit too late for this guy.
While the FAR’s say that the gauge should read zero when the tank has no more usable fuel we all know that the typical GA aircraft does not usually meet that regulation. I doubt that any GA aircraft has ever been checked against the reg since it left the factory unless there was some significant maintenance done or excessive error was noticed by the pilot and reported to the mechanic. But the bottom line is that once again another nice GA aircraft ends up on the scrap pile because the pilot departed with an assumption of the fuel on board.
Personally I do not feel comfortable when my cars gas gauge hits 1/4 tank let alone any aircraft that I fly.
His assumption of needing 20 gallons for the 200 nm flight was ok – 140 kts at 13 gph.
Without sticking the tanks, he didn’t know that he didn’t have 20 gallons vs 35-40 that he guessed.!
The Dakota has 72 gallons capacity, so 35 gallons would have shown 1/2 tanks on the gauges, if they were anywhere close to accurate.
No such thing as ‘fuel exhaustion’ and that phrase should be struck from aviation vernacular. If a plane runs out of fuel it is the PILOT’s decision to run out of fuel. The FAA REQUIRES on every flight that all available information be obtained for that flight to include route, fuel need, enroute hazards, destination airports, diversion airports, weather and condition of the aircraft BEFORE takeoff.
I lost it immediately i read “Upon landing at the diversion airpark, he found out the airpark had no fuel.
He took off from the airpark”. Lucky he is still alive to tell the tale.
Yet another Stupid Pilot Trick…..by an older guy who should known to stick the tanks vs guessing what the gauges indicated…or didn’t.
Flight plan….nope, don’t need to….oops!