What happened
During flight operations, the pilot reported that the engine ceased functioning while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 600 feet above mean sea level. With no power available to maintain altitude or reach a suitable airport, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure. The aircraft was landed on a small gravel bar in the vicinity of the flight path.
The investigation
Following the incident, an examination of the airframe and systems was conducted to determine the mechanical status of the aircraft. The inspection revealed that the left fuel tank contained approximately 15 gallons of fuel, while the right fuel tank was completely dry. This discrepancy in fuel quantity between the tanks suggests a fuel management issue or selector position error during the flight.
Findings
The emergency landing resulted in substantial damage to the airplane structure. Despite the severity of the impact and the mechanical failure, there were no injuries reported among the occupants. The pilot and three passengers were not injured during the event. The primary factor leading to the incident was the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion from an unbalanced or empty right tank.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure accurate fuel quantity assessments before and during flight. Regular cross-checking of fuel levels in all tanks is essential to prevent asymmetric fuel states that can lead to engine failure if the wrong tank is selected or if fuel starvation occurs.