What happened
The flight involved multiple refueling attempts that ultimately failed to sustain the journey. After making two stops specifically for fuel, the pilot found that fuel was unavailable at both locations. Consequently, the pilot departed toward a third airport located approximately 12 miles to the north.
While on final approach to Imperial Airport, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. Unable to maintain altitude or reach the runway threshold, the aircraft was landed short of the runway. There were no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine prior to this event.
The investigation
A thorough inspection of the wreckage was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. The examination revealed that the fuel system was completely exhausted of fuel. This finding confirmed that the aircraft had run dry rather than suffering from an internal mechanical defect.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot's decision to depart for a third airport after failing to secure fuel at two previous stops directly led to the depletion of available resources. The lack of reported mechanical issues with the airplane or engine further isolates the cause to the fuel supply.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure adequate fuel reserves are secured at each stop, especially when planning multi-leg flights. If fuel is unavailable at a planned stop, alternative arrangements must be made before continuing the journey to avoid fuel exhaustion.