On November 24, 1992, a Mooney M20D (registration N6742U) operated by Jones, Douglas D. was involved in an aviation accident near Darien, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE EN ROUTE WEATHER SOURCES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot who obtained a pre-flight weather briefing with coastal fog precautions later exhausted fuel after two missed approaches and landed on an interstate highway median.
Flight and Weather Briefing
A pilot obtained a pre-flight weather briefing that included precautions regarding coastal fog. No record was found of any subsequent weather information requests by the pilot until terminal weather was sought via an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). The AWOS reported visibility of one-half mile, with partial obscuration and a 100-foot ceiling.
Attempted Approaches
The pilot attempted a VOR approach. After executing a missed approach, an ILS approach was attempted at an airport previously overflown. A second missed approach occurred.
Fuel Exhaustion and Landing
En route to requested VFR conditions, the fuel was exhausted. A landing was made in the median of an interstate highway.