What happened
The aircraft experienced a total loss of power due to fuel exhaustion during flight. The pilot had difficulty locating Bluff City Airport (BLU) and requested assistance from Cincinnati Approach control. After more than six hours in the air, the airport was finally identified. However, the aircraft ran out of fuel approximately two miles away from the intended destination.
The pilot executed a forced landing on a nearby road. During this landing, the aircraft collided with a utility pole and several mailboxes.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of power. It was determined that the primary factor was the depletion of fuel reserves. The pilot's inability to navigate to the correct airport contributed significantly to the extended flight time, which ultimately led to the exhaustion of available fuel.
Findings
Several factors contributed to this accident. The pilot failed to maintain adequate fuel reserves for the flight. Additionally, there was a failure in navigation, as the pilot could not locate Bluff City Airport without external assistance. The extended duration of the flight, exceeding six hours, placed excessive demand on the remaining fuel supply.
The collision with ground objects occurred during the forced landing phase. The aircraft struck a utility pole and mailboxes upon impact with the road surface.