What happened
The accident occurred during a cross-country flight originating from Saint George, Utah, with Imperial, Georgia, as the intended destination. While approaching El Cajon Pass, located south of Apple Valley, California, the pilot encountered dense fog conditions that prevented further progress through the mountainous terrain. Unable to penetrate the weather barrier, the pilot decided to reverse course and return toward Apple Valley.
As the aircraft proceeded back toward Apple Valley, the engine began to lose power. The pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing on level but rough desert terrain. The aircraft sustained significant damage during this ground impact. After the aircraft came to a complete stop, the engine continued to run for a period before the pilot shut it down.
Findings
Post-accident inspection of the fuel system revealed that the left and right fuel tanks contained 10 and 5 gallons of fuel, respectively. A mechanical examination of the engine was conducted and no discrepancies were found with the engine itself, indicating that the power loss was not due to a mechanical failure. The available fuel quantities were insufficient for the remaining flight time required to reach an adequate landing site or return to the departure point under the prevailing conditions.
The primary factor leading to the accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot mismanaged the fuel supply during the diversion caused by the weather, leading to a total loss of engine power. This incident highlights the critical importance of accurate fuel planning and monitoring, especially when unexpected diversions occur due to weather or other operational constraints.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that sufficient fuel is available not only for the planned flight but also for reasonable contingencies, such as weather diversions. Fuel management should be continuously monitored, and decisions to divert should account for the remaining fuel endurance relative to the distance to suitable alternates.