Casualties unknown

1992-10-02: Piper PA-38-112 (N2434B) — Dawn Aeronautics, Inc. — Heathsville, VA

Heathsville, VA, US

On October 2, 1992, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2434B) operated by Dawn Aeronautics, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Heathsville, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight experienced fuel exhaustion after overflying a planned fuel stop. Despite ATC vectors to an alternate airport, the engine quit on base leg, resulting in a landing short of the runway in a corn field.

Flight Details

A student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country flight. While en route, she realized that her flight was running behind schedule, prompting her to overfly an airport where she had planned to land for refueling. She continued toward her final destination.

Fuel Situation

During the flight, the pilot determined that the fuel remaining onboard was insufficient to reach the intended destination. She requested assistance from air traffic control (ATC), asking for vectors to the nearest airport where fuel could be obtained. ATC provided vectors to an appropriate airport.

Attempted Landing

The pilot made an initial landing attempt at the vectored airport, but the approach was not successful, and she performed a go-around. During the second attempt, while on the base leg of the traffic pattern, the engine stopped. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane short of the runway in a corn field.

Outcome

An examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed no significant fuel remaining in the aircraft's tanks.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15937. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.