What happened
The incident involved a student pilot conducting his first solo cross-country flight. During the journey, the pilot became disoriented and lost track of his position. To address low fuel levels, the pilot located a nearby facility and landed there; however, the fuel service was unavailable because the facility was closed.
Unable to refuel at that location, the pilot departed with the intention of reaching an alternate airport for gas. During this leg of the flight, one of the aircraft's fuel tanks became completely exhausted. The pilot eventually reached a second airport and attempted to land on runway 35. Upon touchdown, the aircraft failed to stop within the runway limits and overran the end of the pavement.
The aircraft continued forward until it struck a fence and subsequently entered a wooded area with trees. Meteorological reports indicated that the wind was blowing from the southeast at a speed of 10 knots at the time of the incident.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the primary mechanical factor was the depletion of fuel in one tank during flight. The pilot's decision to depart from a location where refueling was impossible contributed directly to the fuel starvation. The overrun occurred due to insufficient runway remaining after landing with degraded performance or control authority.
Findings
The sequence of events highlights critical errors in pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making. The pilot failed to account for potential delays or closed facilities during a solo cross-country trip. Running a fuel tank dry significantly impacted the aircraft's ability to maintain altitude and airspeed, complicating the final approach. The loss of control during the landing phase resulted in the aircraft leaving the paved surface.
Safety message
Pilots planning cross-country flights must verify the operational status of all intended refueling stops. Relying on a single fuel source without a confirmed backup plan is hazardous. Always carry sufficient fuel to reach an alternate airport with adequate reserves, especially during solo training flights.