Incident Overview
An aircraft on an instructional flight experienced a complete loss of engine power after operating for slightly less than three hours. The aircraft had reportedly been nearly full of fuel before takeoff, with a total capacity of 89 gallons. At a maximum fuel consumption rate of 22 gallons per hour, the aircraft should have had sufficient fuel remaining at the time of the engine failure.
Forced Landing
During the subsequent forced landing, the aircraft collided with power lines and then struck the ground approximately one mile from the runway. The aircraft came to rest in an inverted position and remained overnight before an inspection could be conducted.
Post-Accident Inspection and Testing
After the accident, the engine was test-run and operated satisfactorily. However, inspection of the fuel system revealed only a few ounces of fuel remaining in the aircraft. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the fullest fuel tank had been selected prior to the last takeoff.