On May 20, 1995, a Ryan NAVION A (registration N4285K) operated by Blue Hill Air was involved in an aviation accident near Taunton, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the failure of the pilot to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion, and a forced landing in rough terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise flight, the engine sputtered and quit, leading to a forced landing in a rough field. Examination revealed empty fuel tanks with no leaks or siphoning, confirming fuel exhaustion.
Event Description
During cruise flight, the engine experienced a sputtering sound and subsequently quit. The pilot executed a forced landing in a rough field.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the fuel system, which had a usable capacity of 37 gallons, found it intact. The fuel tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage or siphoning. The pilot reported that the airplane had started with full fuel tanks and that 10 gallons of fuel were added after the second flight. The airplane had flown for a total of 3.6 hours and made five takeoffs before the power loss occurred. The pilot stated that fuel consumption was computed at 12 gallons per hour.