Incident Overview
During the final leg of a cross-country flight, the pilot of a general aviation aircraft reported engine problems while on a two-mile final approach. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a pond located approximately one mile from the approach end of the intended runway.
Fuel Examination
Following the accident, investigators found no evidence of fuel in the aircraft or at the accident site. The lack of fuel suggests exhaustion of the fuel supply.
Flight Duration and Manual Specifications
According to the aircraft operating manual, performance charts indicate an endurance of between 4.4 and 4.65 hours, depending on power settings. The actual duration of the flight was 4.81 hours, exceeding the maximum published endurance. This includes approximately 15 minutes during which radar and communications data indicate the pilot was lost and disoriented.
Circumstances
The pilot had been conducting a visual approach at the end of the cross-country flight when the engine problems were reported. The aircraft came to rest in the pond, and the investigation focused on the fuel state and the extended flight time.