The pilot reported that, the day before the accident, he had fully refueled the Piper PA24’s fuel tanks (60 gallons of fuel), conducted a run-up of the engine, and conducted a local flight around the pattern to troubleshoot an electrical issue that was later resolved.
The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, during the preflight inspection for the cross-country flight, the airplane was only “two gallons shy of full.”
About 2.5 hours into the flight, after switching the fuel tanks multiple times en route, he switched to the left main fuel tank to prepare for landing. He added that, about four miles south of the destination airport, the engine lost power, the airplane was “too low,” and he set up to land on a road near Texico, N.M.
The airplane landed with the gear retracted and hit multiple signs before coming to rest. The plane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage, and empennage.
During a post-accident examination by an FAA inspector, both fuel tanks were found empty, and no evidence of fuel leakage was found at the accident site.
During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that the total flight time the day of the accident was about 3.1 hours and that he was not aware of any pre-accident mechanical failures. He estimated that the fuel burn was about 14 gallons per hour and that, during the accident flight, there was about a 17-knot headwind.
The Pilot’s Operating Handbook stated that, while at 75% power, the airplane has about 3.7 hours of fuel endurance. Given the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not ensure that there was adequate fuel onboard for the accident flight, which led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
NTSB Identification: GAA19CA053
This November 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.
Quite agree with You, Gbigs.
This low time pilot obviously did not understand any of the aircraft systems.
– jump start the engine and then was surprised when the alternator tripped off when he selected the gear up, and a total loss of electrical power….twice, and eventually replaced the battery.
– a run-up and a few laps of the pattern in this aircraft will burn a LOT more than 2 gallons…more like 5-8.
– then he chooses to land on a curving city street when there are huge farm fields on either side of the road, each about 1 mile square. [ cenrter pivot ].
– so he destroyed the aircraft. Hopefully he won’t get another.
– an ignorant, stupid pilot.!
Really tired of these goons running out of fuel. THERE IS NO EXCUSE. These guy should not be allowed back into the air because running out of fuel is NOT AN ACCIDENT. It is an irresponsible and malicious act.