According to the pilot, after flying for about four hours, the Piper PA-38-112’s engine lost total power about two miles from the destination airport.
He performed a forced landing to a field near Rockingham, North Carolina, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and right wing.
The pilot described that the fuel consumption during the accident flight was higher than he had expected based on the fuel consumption that he had calculated on previous flights.
An FAA inspector examined the airplane after the accident and confirmed that both of the fuel tanks were empty.
In the “Recommendation” section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report, the pilot stated that “a more accurate way to determine actual fuel on board and a higher reserve might have prevented this accident.”
Based on this information, it’s likely that the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This December 2022 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.
pilots can be like car drivers. drivers who make turns with no indication, jumping lanes with no indication, parking in disabled spots, ramming their way into existing queues, speeding in marked zones, driving vehicles that have one or more brake lights inoperative. All these and more would tell me those drivers as pilots would be candidates for a pilot induced accident. I work on the basis, just like a car diver should, Thing ahead, plan ahead, indicate ahead. Plan ahead is the most important.
Do you have enough fuel for the flight. That includes fuel for a possible diversion and a reserve. Flying VFR at night in a single and no AP? then plan to follow main highways and well lit towns. The list is endless but the main thing is to think ahead, plan ahead. As the US Navy says ‘Plan the flight, Fly the plan’. Emen.
Sadly Pilots that run out of fuel are not only careless in their preparation but reckless in other aspects of life. When someone chooses to drive 90 mph when the speed limit is 65mph they are not only reckless but lawless. If one is careless in preparation for flight he or she will eventually pay with his or her life. Pride is often a factor in one’s actions.
In the 80 I crossed paths with a friend that had been a state senator. Over a cup of Joe he said he would be buying a new airplane. He had less than 100 hrs in a rental Cessna 150 at that time. He was intent on buying a new Mooney Executive, I suggested that he consider buying a Cherokee 150 or 160 as a transition. The following week I saw him at the airport with his new Mooney. Executive. He was planning on flying into a grass air strip some 10 miles south. The following week I ran into his wife, she said he had been in an aircraft accident and was in the community hospital. I later found out he had landed on a soggy grass strip. When he attempted to take off he was barely able to maintain flight. He flew under a set of power lines and ended up in the woods. The Mooney was totaled and his wife told him he was grounder for the duration. Sad to say his pride kept him from seeking the wisdom of a senior pilot. He was severely injured and nearly lost his life. LEARN FROM OTHERS.
“Missed it by 2 miles”, from a 3,500’ MSL cruise altitude (AGL?).
Knew he was behind on his fuel curve.
Shoulda climbed higher …or landed sooner …when he had the chance.
And an active airline pilot to boot.
Next.
I learned that lesson early.. After, I never take off in my PA-28-140 without out full tanks.. The pilot never knows what is going to happen once they are in the air??? Be safe fill up.
Typical fuel use for Tomahawk is ~6 gal/hour. Tanks hold 30 gallons, 2 x 15, but 1 galllon is unusable for each tank so total usable fuel when full is 28 gallons. 4.5 hours duration at best.
If full 30 gallons. “About four hours” at 7/hr equals silence. It certainly doesn’t provide any reserve at destination. Flight was doomed at takeoff.