What happened
The aircraft experienced an engine failure while operating under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). No flight plan was filed for the cross-country trip. The pilot indicated that he believed he had sufficient fuel for the journey and did not check the fuel quantity at his one en route stop.
Following the loss of power, the pilot executed a forced landing in a swampy area. During this maneuver, the aircraft nosed over. There were two occupants on board, both of whom sustained minor injuries. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported prior to the event.
The investigation
Investigation of the incident revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure. The primary factor was determined to be the pilot's decision-making regarding fuel management. Specifically, the failure to verify fuel levels at an intermediate stop contributed directly to the engine stopping due to fuel exhaustion.
Findings
The investigation highlighted several critical factors:
- The pilot did not file a flight plan for the cross-country flight.
- Fuel quantity was not verified at the en route stop.
- The aircraft landed in a swampy area, leading to nosing over.
- Both occupants received minor injuries.
Safety message
Pilots must always verify fuel quantities at every stop during cross-country flights. Relying on initial calculations without verification can lead to fuel exhaustion and loss of power.