On July 22, 1994, a Cessna 175 (registration N7101M) was involved in an aviation accident near Cottage Hill, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot, relying on a stopwatch rather than fuel gauges, experienced total engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion, leading to a forced landing that struck a house, injuring one occupant.
Accident Summary
A pilot conducting a flight experienced a total loss of engine power, necessitating a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane collided with a residence. One occupant of the house sustained minor injuries, while four other individuals inside were uninjured.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that he believed he had sufficient fuel for the intended flight. He had visually inspected the fuel tanks prior to departure but did not ascertain the exact amount of fuel on board. Instead of using the airplane's fuel gauges, he relied on a stopwatch to estimate the remaining fuel. The pilot did not attempt to use the fuel gauges during the flight.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the airplane following the accident revealed that only unusable fuel remained in the fuel tanks. The airplane's fuel system had no usable fuel left, confirming fuel exhaustion as the reason for the power loss.