What happened
The accident occurred while the aircraft was operating on the fourth leg of an instrument flight rules (IFR) business flight originating in Stow, Ohio, and destined for Santa Paula, California. The operation was conducted under the auspices of Kent State University's flight department. During this segment, the airplane experienced a complete loss of fuel and subsequently crashed approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Falcon Field (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona.
All individuals on board were certificated pilots. Among them were two certified flight instructors, including the university's director of flight operations and chief flight instructor. The pilot in command for this specific accident segment was also a certificated flight instructor. Prior to departure, the pilot in command had filed a flight plan indicating an enroute flight time of 4 hours and a total fuel quantity of 5 hours.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have contributed to the event. Operational records indicated that the airplane's block time was recorded as 4 hours and 59 minutes, which closely aligned with the planned duration but left minimal margin for error given the fuel load.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was fuel exhaustion. The aircraft operated within its planned time parameters but did not have sufficient fuel reserves to complete the flight safely. The occupants included experienced aviation professionals, yet the event highlights the critical importance of accurate fuel planning and monitoring during multi-leg operations.