What happened
Following a preflight inspection of their aircraft, the student pilot informed his instructor that the airplane required refueling because the fuel quantity indicators showed only one-quarter full. The instructor reviewed the quantity indicators and estimated that there was sufficient fuel for the planned flight, so he proceeded with the departure.
The pilots took off to practice touch-and-go landings at an outlying field. Forty-five minutes after takeoff, the engine abruptly lost power. The instructor executed a forced landing in a field. When the aircraft was examined in the field, no fuel was found in the tanks. The engine was successfully ground run after recovery.
The investigation
Examination of the aircraft revealed that fuel exhaustion was the result of a discrepancy between the preflight visual inspection and the instrument readings. The instructor relied on the quantity indicators which suggested adequate fuel levels, while the student pilot noted the low visual indication. No mechanical failure of the engine was found prior to the power loss.
Findings
The investigation highlighted a critical reliance on faulty or misleading fuel quantity indicators during preflight planning. The instructor's estimation of sufficient fuel based on these indicators contradicted the student's observation, leading to a fatal miscalculation of available endurance. 1 fatal injury was reported among the occupants.
Safety message
Pilots must not rely solely on fuel quantity indicators if they appear inconsistent with visual checks or expected consumption rates. Pre-flight verification should always prioritize physical measurement or trusted gauges over ambiguous indicator readings.