Incident Overview
A pilot experienced an engine failure while en route back to the origin airport during a round-robin cross-country flight. According to responding police officers, the pilot reported that he had run out of gasoline and had to land in a riverbed. Examination of the aircraft's fuel tanks by the officers revealed only residual fuel.
Flight Planning Issue
During a telephone interview, the pilot explained that he had originally performed the flight planning for a Cessna 172. He stated that he had never flown the Piper PA28 before this flight. Upon arriving at the operator's fixed-base operator (FBO), he was informed that the Cessna 172 was unavailable and was offered the Piper PA28 instead. The pilot acknowledged that he "should have replanned the flight, but was in a hurry." He assumed that the Piper PA28 and the Cessna 172 had similar fuel consumption rates.
Fuel Management
The pilot said he did not refuel in Las Vegas because he believed he had sufficient fuel for the return trip. However, the fuel exhaustion occurred, leading to the forced landing.