Student Pilot Experiences Fuel Exhaustion During Solo Cross-Country Flight (N5499R)

Incident Overview

During a daytime solo cross-country flight, a student pilot became disoriented and flew along a highway. The pilot subsequently requested and received vectors to the airport. While conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) approach, the airplane was too high. As the pilot initiated a go-around, a total power loss occurred due to fuel exhaustion.

Witness Account

A witness reported observing the airplane impact the terrain nose down and then become inverted.

Sequence of Events

• The student pilot, flying solo, was on a cross-country navigation exercise.
• Disorientation led the pilot to follow a highway for orientation.
• The pilot contacted air traffic control and was provided vectors to the destination airport.
• During the VFR approach, the aircraft's altitude was excessive for a landing.
• The pilot executed a go-around maneuver, at which point the engine lost all power.
• The subsequent forced landing resulted in a nose-down impact, and the aircraft overturned.

Findings

The investigation determined that the total power loss was caused by fuel exhaustion. The pilot's decision to initiate a go-around while high on approach, combined with the fuel state, led to the loss of engine power.