On July 27, 1994, a Cessna 180H (registration N180BK) operated by Furrh, Larry W. was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight, leading to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot failed to visually check fuel levels before departure. During approach, fuel gauges indicated erratic readings and the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft collided with a tree and landed on a highway 300 feet short of the runway.
Accident Details
The accident occurred during a flight where the pilot did not visually inspect the fuel level before departure. During the flight, the left fuel gauge fluctuated between full and empty, while the right fuel gauge indicated approximately one-quarter full. While on final approach, the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with a tree and came to rest on a highway located 300 feet short of the runway.
Post-accident Findings
A post-crash examination of the intact fuel system revealed little or no fuel remaining. The investigation determined that the pilot's failure to visually inspect the fuel level before departure led to the fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight, leading to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.