On July 31, 1992, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2519N) operated by California Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Porterville, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING, AND THE FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight experienced engine roughness and intermittent stoppage five miles from the airport. Unable to restart, the aircraft struck orange trees short of the runway. Investigation found no fuel in the fuel lines or carburetor bowl.
Incident Details
A student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country round-robin flight from Van Nuys, California, with planned stops at Paso Robles and Porterville, covering a total distance of approximately 400 statute miles. The flight from Van Nuys to Porterville, including the stop at Paso Robles, was about 270 miles. According to the student's statement, while approximately 5 miles from the airport and descending toward the traffic pattern, the engine suddenly began to run rough and quit intermittently. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and the aircraft collided with orange trees about half a mile short of the runway.
Investigation Findings
The student had departed Paso Robles at about 1645 hours for Porterville and did not refuel the aircraft at Paso Robles. Examination by FAA airworthiness inspectors revealed no fuel in the fuel lines or carburetor bowl. No fuel spillage or odor was detected in the soil beneath the aircraft. The fuel tanks were ruptured during the impact sequence with the orange trees.