Incident Overview
While descending to approximately 3,000 feet, the student pilot reported that the engine began sputtering. Observing that the fuel gauges indicated empty, the pilot attempted to land at Sky Harbor/O'Malley Airstrip. However, the initial approach was high, and during a subsequent maneuver for another approach, the airspeed was allowed to diminish. The landing gear subsequently contacted trees, causing the aircraft to pitch forward onto its nose and strike the ground in a near-vertical attitude.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated that he had entered 4 hours and 30 minutes of fuel on board on his flight plan, which he considered a conservative estimate. Fuel exhaustion occurred 1 hour and 22 minutes after departure from Homer, Alaska. Prior to departure, the pilot visually checked the fuel and noted that the tanks were not quite full. He also verified that the aircraft had been flown since the last refueling but did not obtain the correct total flight time since that refueling.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Homer, Alaska, and the incident occurred during the approach to Sky Harbor/O'Malley Airstrip. The pilot reported the engine sputtering as the aircraft descended to about 3,000 feet. The fuel gauges read empty at that time, prompting the pilot to seek a landing at the airstrip. The subsequent approach and maneuvering led to the tree strike and nose-over impact.
Fuel Management
The pilot's preflight fuel inspection revealed that the tanks were not full. He had information that the aircraft was flown after its last refueling but lacked the exact duration of that flight. The flight plan showed 4 hours 30 minutes of fuel, but the actual endurance was significantly less, as the fuel was exhausted after 1 hour 22 minutes of flight.