Flight Details
A flight instructor (ATP/CFI) and a student were conducting a training flight with the purpose of practicing landings at several nearby airports to prepare the student for an upcoming check flight. Landings were completed at two airports.
Events Leading to Forced Landing
After the second landing, the pilot in command requested radar vectors to another airport. Approach control could not locate the aircraft on radar, and the pilot advised that the transponder was inoperative. The pilot then canceled the request and left the approach control frequency.
Approximately 20 minutes later, the pilot again contacted approach control and requested radar assistance. The pilot reported that both the transponder and the VOR were inoperative. When asked, the pilot was unsure of his position. Radar contact was never established.
Fuel exhaustion occurred, resulting in a forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed.
Post-Accident Inspection
After the accident, the VOR bench-checked satisfactorily, but the transponder was determined to be inoperative.