What happened
A student pilot was operating a three-leg cross-country flight between Flint, Michigan, and Grand Haven, Michigan. During the journey, the pilot reported becoming ill, which caused her to deviate from the planned route. Upon reaching Grand Haven, the aircraft was not refueled. While en route to Coldwater, the aircraft experienced fuel exhaustion. The pilot executed a forced landing, during which the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was not refueled at Grand Haven despite the long distance to the next destination. The mechanical examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.