Sequence of Events
During a night cross-country flight, the pilot of aircraft N3639Q reported having 30 to 45 minutes of fuel remaining. Three minutes later, the pilot radioed a 'Mayday' call. Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) was providing flight assistance and advised the pilot of an airport at 'your two o'clock position and 3 miles.'
This advisory followed discussions beginning at 0522:45 regarding the aircraft's low fuel state and the fuel remaining versus the distance to Evansville. At 0530:51, the HUF sector advised, 'There are several, uh, smaller airports along the way there if you, uh, need to go down, let us know.' The pilot made no decision at that time.
At 0535:38, the pilot was again questioned about fuel and was advised that his estimate of fuel remaining was cautionary for the remaining distance to the destination. The pilot confirmed that enough fuel remained.
At 0538:35, the pilot transmitted, '39Quebec out of gas. Going down at this time.' The pilot continued to communicate by radio and was vectored toward an airport. Approximately one minute after the airport was sighted, radio contact was lost. The aircraft subsequently stalled and crashed after a loss of power.