Overview
A student pilot was conducting the second leg of a cross-country training flight when the engine ceased operation. Examination of the aircraft's fuel system revealed an absence of fuel. The pilot had departed the original airport without a full fuel load, intending to obtain fuel at the second of two planned stops.
Flight Details
The pilot reported visually checking the fuel before commencing the flight but did not verify whether the quantity present in the tanks was adequate for the proposed training flight. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a field approximately 40 miles short of the intended fueling stop.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that no fuel was present in the aircraft's fuel system at the time of the engine failure. The pilot's preflight fuel inspection did not include confirmation of sufficient fuel quantity for the entire planned route. The decision to rely on a later fueling stop without ensuring adequate fuel for the full journey contributed to the fuel exhaustion event.
Conclusion
The accident resulted from fuel exhaustion, directly linked to the pilot's failure to confirm that the fuel onboard was sufficient for the entire training flight. No other contributing factors were identified in the investigation.