On September 15, 1988, a Cessna 177 (registration N2357Y) operated by Howard Whitmire was involved in an aviation accident near Polk City, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced stronger than expected headwinds during flight, leading to inadequate fuel planning. The aircraft ran out of fuel, causing the engine to fail and necessitating a forced landing in an open field.
What happened
The pilot failed to ensure that the aircraft had an adequate supply of fuel for the flight. During the operation, the engine ceased functioning due to fuel exhaustion. Consequently, the pilot was forced to land the aircraft in a field.
After the accident, the pilot stated that he encountered headwinds that were stronger than anticipated. A post-accident investigation revealed that the aircraft's fuel tanks were completely empty. There was no evidence of spillage or leakage from the fuel system.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.