Incident Overview
A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight was forced to land unexpectedly after the aircraft struck a fence. The accident occurred during the return leg of a round-robin itinerary. Examination of the aircraft after the landing revealed that both fuel tanks were empty.
Flight Details
The flight originated in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with planned stops in Rockford, Illinois, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, before returning to Oshkosh. The aircraft departed with full fuel tanks and was not refueled at any of the intermediate stops. The total duration of the flight was 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Forced Landing
During the final segment of the flight, the pilot performed a forced landing. The aircraft struck a fence during the landing procedure. No further details about the location or conditions of the forced landing were provided.
Post-Accident Examination
A thorough examination of the aircraft after the accident found no evidence of fuel in either fuel tank. The absence of fuel indicates that the engine likely ceased operating due to fuel starvation. The aircraft sustained damage from the fence strike, but the extent of damage was not specified.