Accident Details
A student pilot conducted a flight without ensuring the aircraft had been refueled. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go landings. According to witnesses, shortly after the aircraft lifted off during a touch-and-go maneuver, the engine ceased producing power. Subsequently, the aircraft started to turn and then entered a steep, spiraling descent before impacting the ground.
Investigation Findings
The subsequent investigation disclosed that the aircraft had undertaken two previous flights after its last refueling. An examination carried out after the accident showed that the carburetor contained no fuel, and only a minimal quantity of fuel, estimated as "a cup or two," could be extracted from the fuel tanks.