The pilot told investigators that she filled the Cessna 172C with fuel before departure.
After flying for about four hours, the engine lost power and she executed a forced landing on a road about 1.5 miles from the destination airport in Wichita.
During the landing roll, the airplane hit two street signs and a power pole guy wire, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
A post accident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the fuel system. The fuel tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of a fuel leak. About 8 ounces of fuel were recovered from the gascolator.
The pilot noted that verification of total fuel onboard before each departure and more accurate usage of the airplane’s performance charts could have prevented the accident.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
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This October 2023 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.
Most fuel exhaustion accident could be prevented with proper training. Situations do occur like unforcasted winds or Lost running out of fuel……
Training and experience go a long way to prevent these needless accidents.
Like I said times before, these alleged pilots are not pilots, simply put, they are nothing more than jackasses, endangering other peoples lives !!! Like William Campbell says, If you run out of fuel because your stupid, your Insurance should be revoked right then and there and let the stupid pilot flip the bill, for all damages incurred. This should stop this unnecessary endangering peoples lives.
The weekly fuel exhaustion crash. Pathetic.
Regards/J
Maybe the underwriters should write in their policy’s that if you actually run out of fuel and no leaks are found, that the pilot becomes the underwriter. That might force pilots to be more aware and respond to low fuel situations.
It seems like there is a plane going down every week due to fuel starvation. Totally unacceptable.
Unless one is trying to re-creat Lindberg’s flight, there is no excuse for running out of gas. When flying x-c in my 7KCAB, my 2.5 hr bladder dictated (usually) my stops. Empty one small tank and fill up the others! Yes, flying is an expensive pursuit, but so is dying following a crash!
Good one!
Regards/J
I used to push the limits saying to myself (just a little further, I think I can make it). But then I sold the C-150 and purchased a beautiful Vans RV. Now I fill up when I get to 1/4 tank each side.
Fuel Starvation one thing////Fuel Exhaustion should be dealt with some penance
When will pilots realize that these things don’t go very far without gas? If you want to fly a glider, visit your local glider port!
It is extremely concerning the number of accidents resulting from fuel exhaustion.
You would think anybody with an oz of brain would ensure that when they had their butts hundreds of feet off the ground that they would ensure they had sufficient fuel. Their lives mean little I guess.